RIVERHEAD, NY — Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) recently held its 9th annual Family Caregivers Retreat at Hotel Indigo East End in Riverhead to recognize and provide support and valuable resources for Suffolk County residents who are caregiving for an ill or disabled loved one. The event was focused on emphasizing self-care and offering resources to ease the stress on caregivers by identifying safety nets that are available to them and helping them to navigate the healthcare continuum. In addition, the event also served as a platform for family caregivers, who are often isolated, to connect with each other and discuss their shared experiences.
“PBMC’s Family Caregivers Retreat underscores our unwavering commitment to the well-being of our whole community,” said Tara Anglim, LCSW-R, ACHP-SW, associate executive director of Culture and Experience at PBMC. “As Long Island’s first hospital-based, caregiver-dedicated facility, PBMC recognizes the need for comprehensive support to empower individuals in their caregiving journey, and we are here every step of the way to help.”
The annual retreat was part of PBMC’s ongoing recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, which is celebrated each November and aims to raise awareness of the myriad of challenges family caregivers face. Aside from raising awareness of resources that are available both at the hospital and throughout Eastern Suffolk County, the event also featured a keynote address from Dawn E. Shedrick, LCSW, about mindfulness and ways caregivers can manage and mitigate stress. In addition, the retreat provided an expert panel of community resources which answered questions and provided needed information.
“Caring for someone you love shouldn’t have to be so hard” said Anglim, “Today is about providing resources information and connection that can help you in your journey.” The event was made possible thanks to generous sponsorships from AARP Long Island, Feldman, Kramer & Monaco, P.C., Community Care Home Health Services, the Long Island Alzheimer’s & Dementia Center and the Tully Law Group.
Family caregivers provide support to a loved one with acute, chronic, or disabling conditions, and they play a crucial role in patient’s treatment and recovery processes. In the last year, approximately 53 million caregivers have provided more than $600 billion in unpaid care to a loved one. While their dedication and compassion are unparalleled, the associated challenges can be overwhelming. They provide a broad range of care, including operating as personal advocates when dealing with insurance companies, attending to medical visits, financial and legal matters; assisting with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing and household chores; and acting as social, spiritual and leisure support. However, their role of the family caregiver often goes unrecognized.
The hospital’s Caregivers Center, which opened in 2018 as Long Island’s first hospital-based community hub expressly dedicated to providing support services for family caregivers. The Center is celebrating its 5th anniversary this November and is proud to have provided support to more than 7,000 family caregivers. The free services are designed to aid family caregivers at any point in their journey and include licensed social workers, volunteer caregiver coaches, Stay in Touch Telephone support program, regular caregiver support groups, and a welcoming environment. The Caregivers Center also has a vetted library of community resources, and monthly educational workshops addressing important areas of caregivers’ needs.
To learn more about the Caregivers Center, visit https://www.pbmchealth.org/caregivers-center.
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About Peconic Bay Medical Center
Located in Riverhead, NY, Peconic Bay Medical Center is a 144-bed nonprofit hospital committed to providing exceptional care and improving the health of the communities it serves. Peconic Bay Medical Center offers wide-ranging, full-scope services and programs, including advanced surgical, cardiac, orthopedic and women’s health care, comprehensive inpatient medical care, palliative care and an extensive range of outpatient services, along with state-of-the-art technology. Peconic Bay Medical Center joined Northwell Health in 2016. For more information, visit PBMCHealth.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.