Você é um cuidador? Nós podemos ajudar você!

Cuidar significa cuidar dos outros, sejam parentes ou amigos.

Need a 10 minute break from being the caregiver? Have your loved one call The Samaritans.

Download our “Caregiver” brochure.

É o nosso presente gratuito para você!

Respite means to provide rest or relief.

After a full day of responsibilities, sometime you’re just too tired to listen to the loved ones around you – especially those who may have a chronic condition such as a physical or mental illness; or an aging parent, or a friend or family member who only turns to you for support.

When you are too tired to listen, suggest your family member or friend call a volunteer at The Samaritans.

A 10 minute call to The Samaritans – when your loved one has a chance to talk to a nonjudgmental listener – can provide you with 10 minutes of rest – to enjoy your dinner, read a paper, read to your child or go for short walk. It just might be the daily break you need to feel rested and ready to take on the next challenge.

Did you know most of our callers are not suicidal?

More than 80% of our calls are from daily supported callers. People of all ages call to talk about many different personal issues, including when they are hopeless, alone or have suicidal feelings. Some people call once while others may call every day.

Às vezes, eles ligam só para nos contar como foi o dia deles ou para dizer boa noite. Os voluntários dos Samaritanos estão lá para ouvir sempre que necessário.

It’s important to remember—no one needs to be suicidal to call a friend at The Samaritans.

We enhance and support professional care

The Samaritans does not replace professional medical, mental health, pastoral or social service care. It can, however, shore up such supportive services between appointments or when family and friends are not available.

Our hotline/listening line support is also available when professional care services are no longer an option.

Facts about care giving

The federal government reports –

• About one fourth of American families are caring for an older family member; an adult child with disabilities or a friend.
• According to recent surveys, more than 7 million persons are informal caregivers to older adults.
• Studies show that more than half of caregivers are women. Care receivers are about half women and half men.
• The average amount of time caregivers spend on caregiving is about 20 hours per week.
• Cuidar de uma pessoa com deficiência pode ser fisicamente exigente, especialmente para cuidadores mais velhos.
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Learn more about coping with stress at this federal website: Caregiving.

Estresse do cuidador

O estresse do cuidador é um fato diário da vida de muitos cuidadores. Muitos cuidadores precisam equilibrar o cuidado com outras responsabilidades, como empregos e cuidados com a família. O estresse constante pode levar ao "esgotamento" e problemas de saúde para o cuidador. Os cuidadores podem se sentir culpados, frustrados e com raiva de vez em quando.

In caring for someone you love, such as children, an elderly family member or a friend—caregivers often sacrifice their own emotional and physical needs. They may find themselves overwhelmed by managing the constant demands and responsibilities of being a caregiver.

Pesquisas mostram que a prestação de cuidados pode levar ao aumento do risco de depressão e doenças.

Sentimentos de raiva, ansiedade, tristeza, isolamento, exaustão e culpa são comuns entre cuidadores. A depressão do cuidador muitas vezes passa despercebida, pois os cuidadores lutam com a natureza desgastante de seus papéis. Abrir mão de seus próprios cuidados médicos e falta de sono podem contribuir para a depressão e podem fazer com que os cuidadores sofram esgotamento.

Entenda a conexão entre problemas de saúde médicos e comportamentais

Muitas vezes, problemas de saúde e de comportamento acontecem ao mesmo tempo, impactando um ao outro e você pode se sentir deprimido. O estresse de cuidar, bem como mudanças em medicamentos ou dieta, estresse, problemas de estilo de vida ou problemas médicos não diagnosticados anteriormente também podem impactar seu bem-estar mental e físico. Se você ou um ente querido está sofrendo de depressão, escreva uma lista de suas preocupações, observações, problemas médicos passados e atuais e desafios de saúde, bem como quaisquer pensamentos de depressão e suicídio. Compartilhe suas preocupações com um familiar ou amigo de confiança, pessoal do pronto-socorro, seu provedor de saúde ou coordenador de serviço social.

Coordinate your care

Your primary care doctor is your medical home. The best care is coordinated care between a RI licensed primary care doctor and RI licensed behavioral health specialist. Your list of concerns and observations, emergency room assessments, as well as medical and behavioral reports should be provided to and exchanged among your care providers.

The path to well: stay connected!

While being a care giver may be unavoidable, your well being will play an important role in your ability to remain a caregiver. Staying connected to family, friends and your community is an important. Become part of a community organization – faith based, recreational, volunteer, educational, senior, library, youth and teen, garden or environmental organization can provide purpose, friendship and hope. Call your local city or town or visit their website to learn more about what’s happening in your community! Can’t leave your home? Stay connected to The Samaritans of Rhode Island’s free, listening line where trained volunteers listen and befriend without judgment. Callers are invited to call as often as needed. Call (401) 272-4044 or (1-800) 365-4044.

Need to talk about the stress of being a caregiver? 

Call a friend at The Samaritans.

At The Samaritans, we care—we listen—we help.

Depression is not a weakness. If these feelings persist, they may be a sign you need help to cope with the strain of caring for a friend or family member. When you’re feeling isolated, a call to The Samaritans can help you know you’re not alone. Often times, talking to a Samaritan volunteer is the first step to being able to talk to a trusted family member, friend, licensed physician or licensed counselor. We can also point you in the direction of help.

Please remember, at The Samaritans we are here to listen—you are never a bother.

The Samaritans Hotline/Listening Line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year depending on the availability of volunteers within a 24 hour period.