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Caregiver Support

CAREGIVING

Caregiving may be one of the most important and challenging roles a person will ever take on. More than 43 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers. Their efforts are indispensable in the lives of people struggling with illness, disability or aging challenges. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips makes the process easier.

Gesu’s Caregiver Support Committee provides presentations, resources and support ministries for caregivers of sick, aging and disabled adults.

MEMBERS OF GESU’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT COMMITTEE

Len Calabrese
Richard Christie
Father Greg Hyde, Staff Resource
Tom Mammano 
Sue Reif
Kathy Tavernelli
Amy Zucca, Staff Resource

Please contact Amy Zucca at azucca@churchofthegesu.org with suggestions/questions/comments for this webpage and the Committee’s work and/or to volunteer to serve on this committee.

GESU’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT MINISTRIES FOR SICK, AGING AND DISABLED ADULTS

  • Pastoral visits and Anointing of the Sick - Call the Parish Office at (216) 932-0617
    • Illness & Hospital Calls  - Please notify the Parish Office when a member of your family is hospitalized or ill. 
    • Anointing of the Sick - You may make arrangements to receive the Sacrament of the Sick following any weekday or weekend Mass by calling the Parish Office in advance.

  • Gonzaga Drivers - Volunteers help senior and handicapped parishioners by providing rides to church, doctors’ appointments and simple errands. Contact Amy Zucca at azucca@churchofthegesu.org or (216) 932-0617 to arrange.

  • Eucharistic Visitation - Eucharistic Ministers take Communion to Catholic residents unable to attend the service. Eucharistic Ministers also take Communion to McGregor Home and King David Healthcare Center weekly. Contact Amy Zucca at azucca@churchofthegesu.org or (216) 932-0617 to arrange.

RESOURCES

Where to Start 

Gesu’s Caregiver Support Committee recommends: 

 

  • Harvard Caregiver’s Handbook as a general resource. It gives detailed information on many aspects of caregiving:
    • Becoming a caregiver
    • Handling day-to-day issues
    • Legal planning
    • Financial planning
    • Navigating Medicare and Medicaid
    • Medical planning
    • When your loved one needs more care
    • Care for the caregiver

You can check out a copy from the Gesu Outreach Office in the Parish Offices.

Copies are available in the Gesu Outreach Office in the Parish Offices.

This directory is the most comprehensive listing and explanation of providers and services who cater to the needs of mature adults.

Community Resources  

  • Community Partnership on Aging > 
    (216) 291-3902
    Serving South Euclid, Lyndhurst, Highland Heights, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, and Richmond Heights

    Improving Lives through programs and services that support independence, community involvement and well-being.

  • Village in the Heights >
    (216) 512-1844 
    Serving East of Lee Road, West of I-271, North of Chagrin Blvd, South of Mayfield Road

    Our purpose is to support one another as we get older and to enhance our quality of life in the communities we know and love through volunteer transportation/housekeeping/grocery shopping/repair/friendly visitor services, one-call referrals to service providers, cultural/social/educational events, and health/wellness/fitness activities.

  • Nourish Program for Caregivers >
    (440) 596-9408

    Our mission is to create communities of support for family caregivers...nourishing the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of caregivers. Meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Harvest Room of the Sister Lucy Center next to St. Clare. 

  • Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA) >
    (216) 621-0303 

    The WRAAA is responsible for a wide range of activities in support of older adults and those who are disabled.

  • Benjamin Rose Institute We Care Consultation >
    (216) 373-1797


    WeCare…Because You Do℠ is your care partner, providing crucial support and proven expertise to relieve the stress and strain of caregiving. Whether the person receiving care lives across the street or across the country from you, we provide indispensable resources and guidance. Both on the phone and through email, your personal Care Consultant works alongside you to develop a customized plan so you can take care of yourself and the people who need you most.

  • AARP
    Find local caregiver resources serving Ohio at: https://states.aarp.org/ohio/caregiver-resources
    (877) 333-5885

  • Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) >
    (216) 420-6700 Connection Center
    Call 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, if you need service for a senior age 60+ or disabled adult age 18-59.

    DSAS provides home-based care services, benefits assistance, outreach, and senior center programming, while advocating for the needs of the County's older adults.  DSAS strives to keep seniors safe, supported and independent, so they can live their best lives.

  • List of Cuyahoga County Senior Service Providers >

  • United Way of Greater Cleveland >
    2-1-1 is a three-digit phone number utilized across North America for confidential and easy access to help for social service (government benefits, financial aid, caregiving assistance, food/clothing/household items, healthcare, housing, utilities, legal services, taxes, financial management, mental health counseling, addiction/revovery) needs.

You can call 2-1-1 and ask to take a Benefits Eligibility Survey. Have the following information ready:

    • State and Zip Code
    • Month and year of birth for self and spouse; social security number
    • Type of home (house, apartment or mobile home)
    • Length of time in current residence
    • Veteran status for self and spouse
    • Names and dosage of prescription medications you are taking
    • Current income and assets from all sources for self, spouse and others in your home
    • Estimates of current expenses (such as mortgage/rent, utilities, medical bills, etc.)

  • Cleveland Regional Office of the Veterans Administration >

  • Cleveland Alzheimer’s Association >
    1-800-272-3900

    The Cleveland Area Chapter provides support groups, education programs and other resources/care consultations to help those impacted by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

  • Ohio Parkinson Foundation - Northeast Region >
    OPFNE is a 501 3(c) non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s Disease (PD) The foundation offers an annual, free, educational symposium, supports the efforts of many charitable organizations involved in the development of education and wellness programming for the Parkinson community, such as exercise and dance classes, and offers funding for local and national PD research.

  • InMotion for Parkinson’s Disease Support >
    (216) 342-5784

    InMotion uses a community-based group approach to help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) feel better every day. Through evidence-based exercise, arts, support and education programs, we help clients take control of their symptoms and learn to live positively and constructively with their disease.

  • Cuyahoga County Division of Adult Protective Services >
    (216) 420-6700

Adult Protective Services help vulnerable adults age 60 and older (or adults with disabilities, age 18-59) who are in danger of harm, and/or are unable to protect themselves, and may have no one to assist them.

  • Western Reserve Navigator Palliative Care Services >
    Palliative Care is the medical term for pain and symptom management. Western Reserve Navigator palliative care is a service offered by Hospice of the Western Reserve that may be appropriate for individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious or advanced illness. Unlike hospice care, patients may choose to receive palliative care while continuing to pursue aggressive treatment and further diagnostic tests.

  • Ohio Hospice Locator >
    Hospice provides palliative care that is specially designed for patients facing terminal illness. 

  • National Council on Aging Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone >
    A comprehensive guide of resources for older adults living alone, empowering them to thrive independently and access essential services.

  • For proper disposal of expired or unused medications contact your local police department. DO NOT flush down drains or toilets.

A PRAYER FOR CAREGIVERS

Dear God,

For those who are caregivers to friends and family, may they feel your love and your sustaining power. May they feel less frustrated and experience less guilt for very human feelings they may have about wanting to escape their tasks. May they find a community eager to support them. Help us to be conscious of their feelings of pain and isolation. Give them discernment to handle whatever comes their way.  Give them peace in knowing that they cannot fix everything. Provide your words of comfort to them when they are running low on strength. Open their eyes to see all that is good when they can only see the pain and grief. Close their mouth when they need to just listen and give them words of encouragement to share when it is needed. Provide them relief when they grow tired. Help them see your plan through all the fog of life. Remind them that caring for their loved one is a privilege. It is an honor, not a burden. We pray for their strength to make it through each day and let them know they are not alone. We pray for the restoration of their souls.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.