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The responsibility of caregiving for a loved one can compound your stress emotionally, mentally and physically. In fact, many caregivers prioritize the needs of others and forget to take care of themselves. It’s a lot to take on, and no caregiver should ever feel alone. Here are some resources to help you take care of yourself, while you care for your loved one. Build a team The key to successful caregiving is to build a team around you that can help you when things get rough. Here are some tips: • Communicate honestly with your family and friends and ask for help when you need it. • Your health plan can provide benefits to promote self-care, like online mental health counseling and health coaching. • If you find yourself overwhelmed, ask your loved one’s health plan for a care coordinator to help guide you through the health system’s intricacies. • If your loved one has a Medicare Advantage plan, there may be free perks available, such as companionship benefits, meal delivery and transportation to medical visits. Your Health Matters

Finding Caregiver Support and Resources by Lora Felger, writing for Health Alliance™

Collect information on local resources • Ask your health plan if they have a community outreach liaison who can help you find the resources you need. Call the number on the back of your ID card to get started. • Each state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP provides free counseling services for older adults and pre-retirees and can answer questions about Medicare, Medicare plans and financial assistance. • Your local Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease organizations offer caregiver support groups both in person and online. • Your Area Agency on Aging also offers support for caregivers. They can refer you to organizations like respite care groups that come into the home and give you a break for an afternoon or weekend. • Consider an adult day program that gives your loved one a change of scenery and you the chance to run errands or take care of your own needs. • Many communities offer special expos and health fairs that highlight resources available to caregivers.

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To learn how Health Alliance can save your district money, contact your ISEBC agent:

Clemens and Associates, Inc.: tcockburn@clemensins.com (Egyptian, Shawnee, Kaskaskia, Southwestern and Wabash Valley)

American Central Insurance Services: jeremy@americancentralins.com (Abe Lincoln, Central Illinois Valley,

J. Krug: lsimios@jkrug.com

James Unland & Company, Inc.: bshock@unland.com (Western (Knox County) and Central Illinois Valley (Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties)

(Blackhawk, Kishwaukee (Boone, DeKalb and Winnebago counties), Northwest and Starved Rock)

Corn Belt, Illini, Kaskaskia, Two Rivers and Western)

*Health Alliance Medical Plans received the highest score in the Illinois/Indiana Region in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Satisfaction Study of members’ satisfaction with their commercial health plan experience. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.

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