Kathy and Vince Polo, of Broomall, had always looked forward to retirement and all the fun things they would do together. But, six years ago, their plans fell by the wayside when Vince, now 76, suffered a stroke.
“Our lives changed dramatically that day,” laments Kathy. “That was especially true for Vince. He was always so independent before the stroke.”
      Today, Vince, who also has diabetes, is unable to walk. He relies on a wheelchair and a side walker for mobility. To navigate the steps in their split level home Vince uses a stair rider. All of these mobility options require Kathy’s assistance.
      A recent Harvard study shows that, “spouses with sick partners are on the front lines of caregiving in our country. Such spouses, who make up six percent of the nation’s 44.4 million caregivers, shoulder unimaginable burdens.”
Programs such as SCS’s Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) provide a unique plethora of resources to help spouses and relatives deal with stress and manage the practical and financial aspects of caring for a loved one at home. For Kathy, it’s receiving reimbursement for items such as bed pads, Tylenol, shampoo, and other personal grooming items. The program also reimburses her for the rental of the stair ride, plus someone to mow their lawn or clear away snow. Questions, and the occasion problems that arise, are resolved with a phone call to their care manager.
     Each case is different. Depending on eligibility, some caregiver-family members are reimbursed for respite time, or the services of an aide. FCSP grants are also available to eligible families for adaptations and modifications, such as ramps, tub bars, chair lifts, widening of doorways, and more. 
     Kathy has learned to fashion her caregiving days into a routine. Every morning she tests Vince’s blood sugar, administers his medications, then bathes him before preparing him breakfast. While she goes about her housekeeping, cooking, laundry, and gardening chores, Vince spends the remainder of his day watching all the TV sports programs from a comfortable wing back chair in his bedroom or the family room. Kathy checks on him often.
     “I don’t know what we would do without the caregiver program,” Kathy relates. “It’s such a big relief to know that if I have a problem, or just need to vent, I can call our care manager. We usually arrive at a solution, and I feel less stressed.”
      Family support comes from a daughter, who works near-by, and who takes Kathy food shopping and to doctor’s appointments. The couple’s other two other children, four grandchildren, and other family members, keep in touch daily and help wherever possible.
      “I would recommend the Family Caregiver program to everyone in my situation,” Kathy concludes emphatically. “Everyone should know about this wonderful program! I couldn’t care for my husband without them. ”
For more information about The Family Caregiver Support Program, call David Morgan at (610) 237-6222, Ext. 37.