The Caregiver Cottage Home Page

Are you prepared to care for your loved ones as they age?

When all is well with your current lifestyle and your family members are well, you don't think about what may happen in the future. However, as your loved ones age, you will be facing situations and issues that you did not anticipate.

When you are facing the changing needs of a family member or loved one, it can be difficult to see the whole picture. You tend to only see the situation or change, but when you step back, you may see many changes in your loved one and even in your relationship with them. The situation can also be very frustrating and leave you feeling alone and overwhelmed.

There is help available through caregiver coaching.

Coaching is a process that uses your strengths to discover the answers and solutions and assists you to develop the tools to take action. Coaching looks at the present and then, focuses on the big picture and long term solutions.

Coaching benefits you by guiding you to:

1.   Identify where you are in the caregiving process.

2.    Become smarter. You will discover different ways to think about caregiving and identify different strategies to use.

3.    Keep moving ahead in resolving the eldercare issue. As you enter new territory, you might get stuck or go back to what is familiar. You will be encouraged to keep moving.

4.    Become more confident in the decisions that need to be made, the information that needs to be researched and gathered, and ways to organize the journey ahead.

5.    Deal with your emotions and help you understand the emotions of your aging loved ones.

6.    Have something to look forward to. You will experience an oasis where you can step back, catch your breath and talk about issues and concerns with someone who understands. You will be heard and supported.

What are caregiver coaches?
As caregiver coaches, we offer a partnership to enable you to solve your problem or issue. We ask you questions about your situation, help you look at your situation from a different perspective, walk along side you, encourage you and offer new information.   You will choose the answers or solutions that are right for you and your loved one. You are actively involved in developing a plan that addresses your unique situation.

Why would someone need caregiver coaching?
No one prepares you for caring for your family members as they age. It is difficult to talk with your aging loved ones about failing health, changes in living situations, and medical, financial and legal issues. Caregiving is unknown territory and each family situation is unique. Working with a coach can help your family identify and resolve the situation more quickly, saving time, energy and financial resources.

How can caregiver coaching help me with my situation?
Caregiver coaching starts with you and your situation. You work with the coach in a thoughtful and intentional way to identify the issues, stabilize a present situation, and plan for the best and most practical long-term solution with action steps to meet the goals.

Who do you work with?
We work with anyone who is concerned about wanting to help an aging loved one and those that are already caring for a loved one. We work with family members, usually adult children. We also work with spouses, extended family members, neighbors and friends,

What type of issues do you address?
We address and work to resolve immediate issues, always keeping in mind the bigger picture and long-term solutions. These can include, but are not limited to
•    Health changes that are being ignored including memory changes
•    The direct caregiver is showing signs of stress and burnout
•    Medical, financial and legal documents are not in place
•    Living alone and no longer safe due to health and/or memory changes
•    Families that want to plan ahead for future needs of their loved ones

How does caregiver coaching work?
Caregiver coaching is a process over time. We will work together to
•    Clarify the issue or problem using a series of questions
•    Explore possible solutions
•    Plan a long term strategy to resolve the issue or problem
•    Develop manageable action steps with time frames for completing
•    Follow up support to keep you moving ahead

Caregiver coaching takes place one-on-one over the telephone. There may also be assignments that you will do independently between the phone sessions.

How long does it take?/How long do people work with you?
Our goal is to help you successfully resolve your situation in the shortest time possible. You can help by
•    Making our work together a priority in your schedule
•    Completing the assignments
•    Being prepared and on time for the coaching phone calls

This sounds like a great idea. How do I get started?
We will start out with a 20 to 30 minute complimentary session so we can get to know each other. We’ll talk about your current situation, determine if coaching is right for you, and set up our schedule of coaching calls. Sign up by clicking the complimentary session.

How do you charge for your services?
To faciliate the coaching process, we offer different coaching options .

To manage an immediate care crisis

Crisis Coaching Session $100.00
• 1- 45 minute phone session

This option can be selected as often as you need it.

1 Month Coaching Package    $350.00
•    4 - 45 minute phone sessions
•    E-mail correspondence – for a question or event that may emerge where you need input soon. E-mails will be answered within 24 hours.

This package can be renewed on a month to month basis depending on your needs.

To provide an option for individual coaching sessions following the monthly package

1 Coaching Session $100.00
• 1 - 45 minute phone session

This option can be selected as often as you need it.