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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JANUARY 2024 | 17 Caregivers can be described as individuals who care for members of their family of origin, but also refer to those who care for their family of choice. By 2030, one fih of the U. S. population will be at least 65, which means that more people than ever will need daily assistance of some sort. e thought of losing a loved one can be more stressful than the caregivers' day to day caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers are at a substantial risk for anxiety, depression, and chronic disease as they watch their loved one's mental and physical abilities decline. We at Four Seasons also see the caregiving need on a local level. Our Sunshine Team is in the process of developing a support plan for caregivers in our retirement community. Our Sunshine Caregiver Support Group will meet the first Wednesday of the month, beginning Jan. 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 am (sometimes 12 pm). Chaplain Mark from VNAcare (formerly Arbor Hospice) will be our facilitator. You do not have to be a caregiver to come. All are invited; however, the focus of the meeting is to provide caregivers in our community an opportunity to get together and glean practical tools as well as enjoy an hour of respite from the oen challenging job of caring for an ailing loved one. When available, Mark will arrange for various health care professionals (social workers, home health aides, and hospice liaisons) to meet with us and inform us in their specific areas of expertise. We will meet at the home of Suzanne McGowan, 7747 Dutra Dr. Please come ready to relax and exchange ideas. Refreshments will be served. If you have questions, feel free to call Suzanne at (831) 905-6203. At our November meeting, caregivers Steve and Mary Anne Hegadus were recognized with the Sunshine Kindness Award. ey are two very generous, retired medical professionals who prepared and delivered home-cooked meals to 14 plus households two to three times per week for many months during and aer COVID. Steve has always had cooking on a grand scale as a hobby. What a deserving couple! Team Sunshine kicked off the holidays with a cookie exchange and coffee klatch at our December meeting. What fun to share so many delightful goodies. We have been notified of the passing of Dan Yarbrough and Howard Burdett. Team Sunshine has reached out to their families to offer our condolences and assistance if needed. Please contact Co-chair Brenda Beers at (951) 306-6670 or Co- chair Margie Culton at (951) 491-4058 for further information on Team Sunshine. Closing quote: "One person caring about another represents life's greatest value." ~ Jim Rohan, author Team Sunshine "With each sunrise we are given a chance for a new beginning!"