Caregiver burnout is common and
preventable.
Take our quiz below and learn if you are experiencing
symptoms.
Do you know anyone whose work week is
24/7? We do. They're called "informal" caregivers
because they are not paid for their work. They are a spouse, a son
or daughter, or a dear friend who is taking care of an elderly
person in their home. The nation's caregivers are the unsung heroes
of health care. Their numbers are staggering and rising as our
population ages. Many are exhausted, isolated, at risk for serious
illness or injury and desperately in need of a break. Adult day
programs provide the respite and support needed to keep these
caregivers going, to encourage independence and meaning in the
lives of the elderly and disabled they serve, and to delay costly
nursing home placement for as long as possible.
The National Family Caregivers Association (www.nfcacares.org) provides a wealth of
information and support for caregivers, as well as data on the
economic impact and health care needs of the nation's caregivers.
Here is a snapshot of this data and links to help caregivers in the
important work they do (see our Participant Profile story -
Caregiving Partnership).
- More than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill,
disabled or aged family member in any given year.
- 30% of family caregivers caring for seniors are themselves aged
65 years of age or older.
- The value of this "free" care is estimated to be $306 billion a
year.
- 60% of family caregivers are women. The typical family
caregiver is a 46-year-old woman caring for her widowed mother who
does not live with her. These caregivers are usually married and
employed.
- Women who are family caregivers are 2.5 times more likely than
non-caregivers to live in poverty.
- Elderly spousal caregivers with a history of illness themselves
and who are experiencing caregiver-related stress, have a 63%
higher mortality rate than their non-caregiving peers.
- Stress of family caregiving for persons with dementia has been
shown to impact a person's immune system for up to three years
after their caregiving ends, thus increasing their chances of
developing chronic disease themselves.
Taking Care of
the Caregiver
Take this self-test. Ask yourself if you are experiencing
some of the early warning signs of caregiver burnout.
Got a life? My loved one's needs have become
the center of my life and my daily routine. I can't think past
today or make plans for the future.
Social isolation? It's increasingly difficult
to go out with friend, go to church or participate in social
activities. I feel lonely.
Postponing self-care? I put off routine medical
and dental preventative care because of my care-giving
responsibilities.
Resisting help? People offer help or suggest
programs, but it feels inadequate or intrusive. Nobody can care for
him the way I do. I don't want strangers doing my work. Besides, I
would just feel guilty.
Feeling trapped and depressed? I'm tired all of
the time. I hardly ever get an uninterrupted night's sleep. I feel
depressed and numb. I don't know what to do about it.
If you found yourself agreeing with many of these
statements, it may be time to explore adult day services or other
types of assistance and support.
Resources
National Family Caregivers Association: www.nfcacares
Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center for Caregiving: www.caregiver.org
Denver Region Council of Governments (DRCOG) Free Handbook for
Caregivers
(303) 455-1000
Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging: www.cahsa.org
Seniors Resource Guide: www.seniorsresourceguide.com
Colorado Commission on Aging: (303) 866-2800
Eldercare Locator: www.eldercare.gov
www.eldercarelink.com/
www.alz.org/carefinder/index.asp
www.alz.org
Both Jewish Family Services (www.jewishfamilyservices.org) and Lutheran
Family Services (www.lfsco.org) in the Denver area are good
sources for case management services.
An important topic to caregivers is behavioral symptoms
associated with the disease including the prevalence to wander.
Project Lifesaver: http://www.projectlifesaver.org/
Safe Return, a program of the Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org/safereturn
1-800-572-8566
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