Hello everyone! My name is Justin Watrel and I am a former caregiver who lives in Bergen County, NJ (Hence the title ‘BergenCountyCaregiver.com’). I developed the site ‘Bergen County Caregiver’ for all you caregivers of loved ones who feel isolated, frustrated and alone in your journey in caregiving. It is not a role that any of us choose but one that finds us. As a former caregiver for my father, Warren George Watrel, (see above picture), who had had a terrible stroke in 2011, my journey was a hard one because no one was there to guide me along. I had met many Seniors along the way who gave me advice of rehab centers and what medications do and don’t work but how to take care of a loved one was tricky. Every caregiver’s story is different as the illness is different for each family member.
My dad and I at a happier time in 1994 at “Tap-o-Mania” my last year at Macy’s
Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Open your mouth and ask for help and information. There is a lot out there that can help so you are not frustrated. I will try to guide through what I know and what programs I have used and hopefully the journey will not be as bumpy. I worked in the Department of Disability Services for the County of Bergen as a Consultant in the Ridgewood, NJ Post Stoke & Disabled Support Group that caters to people who are recovering from different ailments and want a place to talk and be with people who understand the frustration of it all.
We used to meet each Tuesday from 10:00am to 12:00pm in Ridgewood City Hall. You and your loved one are happy to join us. Members talk about their experiences with recovery and their caregivers are also given a voice and a chance to talk about their situations. I am no expert or a licensed Social Worker. I am just someone who has been through it all and wants to share the experience with you. Hopefully I can help guide you to what might help. So share the journey with me and know that there are many of us out there that are trying to figure it all out. Know that again you are not alone.
I am happy to report that we are now being followed by Forty-Seven countries and hopefully helping people in those countries with their loved ones who live here. Please check the blog site for all the programs available for your family members. To lighten the mood, check out my other three blogs, ‘MywalkinManhattan.com’, ‘VisitingaMuseum.com’, LittleShoponMainStreet@Wordpress.com and ‘DiningonaShoeStringinNYC.Wordpress.com’ if you are visiting the Metropolitan New York area in the future.
I am here to help your thorough your journey to take care of your loved one. Just read on!
bergencountycaregiver 
To all readers, we have a really nice time at the Support Group. It is a nice place to come and share your experiences with the rest of the group. We learn so much from one another and give each other information that we might not know. It helps so many people when you share your story.
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To all of my readers, please feel free to use the Internet connection if you have any questions for me. I will try to help you as best as I can. There is a lot of information out there to help you and your loved one through this journey. Remember, you are no longer alone and this site can help.
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