CAREGIVERS MINISTRY

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28-30

                  We welcome all of you who are the blessed caregivers of many.

The Ministry to Caregivers at St. Joseph's Church is open to all those who provide care on either a full-time or part-time basis.  While some provide care to a spouse, child, or parent, others may be caring for a special needs adult or child.  Additionally, we include all those who are professional caregivers.

Caregiver Events at St Joseph Church:

• Semi-Annual Retreats (Spring and Fall)

  • Retreats are held on Saturdays. After a continental breakfast, Fr Hank will open the retreat with a theme - appropriate talk, which he draws from his own caregiving experience with his younger sister, Judith. The sharing of stories and table discussion follows as you converse with tablemates with a similar caregiving experience. A theme - related activity ends our morning. Additional table talk and a delicious lunch wrap up the retreat at 1pm.

  • There is no cost for attending and participants of all faiths are welcome to join us.

 Let us wrap our arms around you in the love of God as we take care of you during this morning of reflection!

• “Sip and Learn” Saturdays (four times annually)

  • In the past, topics have included “Hospice and End of Life Decisions,” and
    “Legal Issues for Caregivers.”

• Future topics will include “Nutrition for Caregivers,” “Self-Care,” and perhaps revisiting past topics.

•  Online Resources:

Please scroll through our caregiver resources below.  Sites we have listed will lift your spirit, offer you helpful information, and afford you the opportunity to attend meetings specific to your needs.

• Websites:

  • Daily Caregiving

    • Weekly emails to help you through daily caregiving

    • Receive daily caregiving emails to uplift you and help you navigate challenges of many caregiving issues.  Articles include: “Handling Dementia’s Behavioral Changes,” “Senior Fall Issues,” “Caregiver Exercises,” “Boosting Your Mood,” “Good Nutrition,” Making Your Home Safe,” “Coming Out of The Negative-Thinking Spiral,” to name a few. 

    • Sign up at:    dailycaring.com 

  • AARP FAMILY CAREGIVING - Planning guide for Families

    • Detailing and lending support for many topics of family caregiving such as:

      • How to start the caregiving conversation before a crisis

      • Making a Plan

      • Resources and Finances

      • Check-off lists

      • AARP Caregiving Guide 

  • Senior Living:

    •  Senior Care Directory

    •  Best Senior Living

    • Caregiving Resource Center 

    • Senior Money and Legal Resource Center

    • Talk to a Family Advisor for Free: (866) 824-8174

  • -Online Support Groups

  • - 11 Signs It Might Be Time for Assisted Living

Please complete our Caregiver Survey so we can serve you better: 

                                    Caregiver Survey - 2022

                                    Questions? 

                                              Contact ~ 

                 Ministry to Caregivers mtc@sjmillstone.com

  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

•  Heart of A Caregiver

Heart of a Caregiver by Paula J. Fox. Most of us at some point in our lives experience what it’s like to be a Caregiver for a limited time…caring for a small child or a family member who is either sick or is recovering from an accident or surgery, or helping with the care of an aging or disabled loved one.www.simpletruths.com  

• Caregivers Also Need to Care for Themselves

                http://www.tinyurl.com/huzbaun

Feelings of being overwhelmed by the task without a break can lead some caregivers to lash out in anger and frustration. Rupp says realizing that caregivers need time for themselves is the first step toward preventing that.  Rupp says caregivers often feel guilty about taking time for themselves. And that gets in the way of the self-care needed so they can help their family member with patience and love. She says they often try to go it alone, or don't know when to ask for help.

• Alzheimer's  Information for Caregivers    www.alznj.org

• Care Consultations: call 973-586-4300

Care Consultations offer the opportunity for individuals with dementia and their families and caregivers to receive personalized, in-depth guidance. Consultations are available in-person or by phone to assist with planning, problem solving, referrals to community resources and emotional support. 

• UNITED WAY CAREGIVING COALITION www.UnitedWayNNJ.org

  • When you open the above web site, you will have access to the below layers of caregiving information and more:

Pathways for Caregivers Guide - a one-of-a-kind resource for disability, mental health, aging, veterans, caregiving issues

Informed Caregiver Educational Video Series

Caregiver’s Toolbox

And much more!

Saint Joseph Church ~

34 Yorktown Road • Millstone Borough Hillsborough, NJ 08844

(908) 874-3141

The Ministry to Caregivers - Save the Date: November 18, 2023

The Ministry to Caregivers is happy to welcome all Caregivers in our community to a gathering of friends who are in a similar role, to a Wellness Retreat.

If you have been given, chosen or accepted the role of Caregiver to an elderly parent or spouse, a special needs child, or a challenged sibling – 

Perhaps you facilitate care for others at your workplace, maybe the Arc or in a Group Home

Or if you are raising your grandchildren, or are responsible for the health & well-being of another – 

YOU are invited ~ The Wellness Session will be hosted under the tent at St. Joseph’s Church, on Saturday, September 24th , from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and will include lunch.  

We look forward to the providing support, fellowship, and gentle care available to you from your peers, fellow parishioners, and our community. 

We hope you will be able to take some time for yourself and join us!

To Register please email mtc@sjmillstone.com or call 908-874-3141 .