One Source - Empowering Caregivers

One Source - Empowering Caregivers (OSEC) Respite Relief Program provides 4 hours of relief each week to caregivers in our community who are in our program. During the pandemic, our volunteers continued to provide support by phone and in a socially distant responsible and cautious manner. The Organization helped 48 families in our community by providing 558 hours of relief in 2022. OSEC was affected dramatically by the Covid-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020 with California lockdowns and through the end of 2020. As the restrictions were implemented, OSEC developed policies and procedures to drive our mission within the pandemic guidelines and recommendations while redirecting "In-Home" services. Volunteers continued to provide support and referrals through phone contact, email, US Postal mail, letter writing, and virtual contact. Home visits that took place were outdoors, on decks, in driveways, and in local parks with all restrictions followed. Because caregivers and volunteers were in the high risk categories, telephone continuity was critical. Volunteers followed 48 caregivers in this manner. The physical office closed from March 2020 through February 2021. When the vaccine became available, the physical office opened by appointment only. Vaccinations were recommended for all caregivers, loved ones, and volunteers.

One Source - Empowering Caregivers' Caregiver Advantage Program offers caregivers in our community an education and support series. The series includes seven sessions with trained professionals in our community. Topics covered include Self-Care and stress reduction, exploration of self-priority, grace in the face of grief, acknowledging needs for community and support from friends and family, and self-affirmation. The Caregiver Advantage Program ended in March 2020 with the CA lockdown directives. 6 sessions were completed. The 7th session was handled through email and virtual contacts. Caregivers who participated were reminded that "You Are Not Alone." Each was honored for their participation and growth. In its place a virtual peer support group was initiated with 2x month meetings. At this time two peer support groups continue, one in person and one virtually , in-home visits have resumed within the COVID guidelines, and the office is open with telephone support and drop in visits.

One Source - Empowering Caregivers offers a free In-Home Assessment to all who request our service. In our assessment rendered by volunteer Nurses from our community, the Caregiver and their loved one gain insight and resources for help in the community. This assessment is critical for our Organization to determine whether our Organization can help the family. In-home person centered assessment team members include nurses, social workers, and spiritual leaders. The plan of care developed, is created by the person center assessment team member, the caregiver, and the loved one. The assessment team member would assist the caregiver in contacting referral agencies with follow-up whenever necessary. Several in-home caregivers suffered from COVID; some loved ones died of COVID; and some volunteers suffered at "long-haulers" with the COVID disease process. This directly impacted our service numbers and our volunteers' availability. 2022 records show 55 registered caregivers with services. The annual volunteer training is scheduled every September. Volunteers are screened as per policy.