Caring for the Caregivers in Parsippany

Caregivers devote themselves to loved ones — often ignoring their own needs in the process. As we mark National Family Caregivers Month, acknowledge the efforts of caregivers in your life and find ways to ease the burden so they can recharge and tend to their health:

✓Prepare a special meal that will provide delicious leftovers.

✓Offer to fill in for a few hours.

✓Plan an outing with them and arrange for someone trustworthy to provide care.

✓Watch for signs of depression and recommend professional help if needed.

Caregivers, take the gift of time to:

✓Get regular healthcare checkups and monitor your health the way you are monitoring your loved ones.

✓Spend time with friends.

✓Join a support group. Morris and Sussex Counties have a vibrant Caregiver Coalition where people who are caring for others join together to share information and socialize.

✓Eat sensibly and find the time for regular exercise (walking is a great option).

✓Seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed.

NewBridge Services provides support through its counseling services. Caregivers whose loved one is enrolled in NewBridge@Home, a free service for provides in-home counseling to homebound seniors and individuals with physical challenges, can receive services through that program. If you or someone you know could use a hand taking care of a loved one, visit NewBridge at www.newbridge.org or call (973) 316-9333.

NewBridge recently opened a 15,320-square-foot service center in Parsippany to provide Morris County residents counseling and treatment for addiction and mental illness. The location is also home to a client drop-in center and NewBridge Jobs Plus, the nonprofit’s successful alternative education program for young adults.
“NewBridge has moved deeper into Morris County to better serve the county’s residents, with easy access from routes 80, 287 and 46,’’ NewBridge CEO Robert L. Parker said. “This location allows us to meet the high demand for care, without people having to face long waiting lists.’’

NewBridge is in the Troy Office Center, 1259 Route 46, Building No. 2.