Support for Caregivers: What Do You Recommend?
Did you know that more than 50 million Americans care for a family member or friend with a chronic illness, disability or advanced age during any given year? These caregivers work tirelessly, often without pay or help from others. Their dedication to caregiving is absolutely invaluable and necessary for so many people of all ages. However, though their care is often provided willingly and without hesitation, their own personal health tends to suffer. According to Shawn Hertz of the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center "When asked about signs of caregiver "burnout" or stress, they become more resentful… there are quite a few red flags, and they cut across medical symptoms, physical symptoms, psychological symptoms and social symptoms."
Alzheimer's caregivers, in particular, have a challenging role as they must adapt and care around the degenerative disease symptoms of the disease that their loved one experiences. In fact, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, "Alzheimer’s disease is often called a family disease, because the chronic stress of watching a loved one slowly decline affects everyone. Comprehensive treatment must therefore address the needs of the entire family. This includes emotional support, counseling, and educational programs about Alzheimer’s disease for individuals and family members as they strive to provide a safe and comfortable environment at home." This support is essential for caregivers because, did you know that 1/3 of family Alzheimer's caregivers have depression symptoms? Read about the Necessity of Counseling for Caregivers.
Just how many caregivers dedicate their lives to caring for a loved one? In 2008 alone, over 9.9 million unpaid caregivers provided Alzheimer's care. 87% of whom are also family members. (Read more Alzheimer's statistics here on my Alzheimer's Fact Sheet.) And if you'd like a deeper look into What Caregivers Fear the Most, read this blog post by Carol O'Dell on her awesome blog about caregiving: Mothering Mother.
These, and more caregiver statistics allude to the serious nature of the caregiver experience especially within the Alzheimer's community. And while many caregivers would never give up that responsibility for anything, they would probably would give anything to feel better and have an easier time providing care.
I want to open this discussion up to the community. Whether you're an Alzheimer's caregiver or family member, a caregiver of someone with a disability, a parent or relative caregiver of someone with mental illness, or interact closely with anyone who has — you have a unique perspective on caregiving.
What sources, tips, or ideas would you recommend to a caregiver that wanted a bit more perspective on their role? What suggestions have others in your online communities made for caregivers?
Join the Alzheimer's Group and share your thoughts in the discussion.
Here are a few sources I found that could be helpful for caregivers.
Do you have any to add? Is there a blog you follow or an organization that you'd recommend?
Family Caregiver Alliance Fact Sheet
National Institute on Aging Caregiver Guide
About.com's Holistic Healing "Resources to help reduce some of these stresses caregivers are faced with on a daily basis caring for others."
The Caregiver Burden and the Widower Effect article on About.com's Senior Living written by Sharon O'Brien
The Aging Care Community - Join in and engage with other caregivers
Check out all of the featured articles and discussions on Aging Care by Minding Our Elders Author Carol Bradley Bursack
On WEGO Health:
Caregiver Information Discussion
Creating an Alzheimer's & Dementia Friendly Home
Helping Caregivers Help Each other
Alzheimer's Care
An Interview from an Alzheimer's Caregiver
Accepting Your Role As Caregiver
Alzheimer's caregivers, in particular, have a challenging role as they must adapt and care around the degenerative disease symptoms of the disease that their loved one experiences. In fact, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, "Alzheimer’s disease is often called a family disease, because the chronic stress of watching a loved one slowly decline affects everyone. Comprehensive treatment must therefore address the needs of the entire family. This includes emotional support, counseling, and educational programs about Alzheimer’s disease for individuals and family members as they strive to provide a safe and comfortable environment at home." This support is essential for caregivers because, did you know that 1/3 of family Alzheimer's caregivers have depression symptoms? Read about the Necessity of Counseling for Caregivers.
Just how many caregivers dedicate their lives to caring for a loved one? In 2008 alone, over 9.9 million unpaid caregivers provided Alzheimer's care. 87% of whom are also family members. (Read more Alzheimer's statistics here on my Alzheimer's Fact Sheet.) And if you'd like a deeper look into What Caregivers Fear the Most, read this blog post by Carol O'Dell on her awesome blog about caregiving: Mothering Mother.
These, and more caregiver statistics allude to the serious nature of the caregiver experience especially within the Alzheimer's community. And while many caregivers would never give up that responsibility for anything, they would probably would give anything to feel better and have an easier time providing care.
I want to open this discussion up to the community. Whether you're an Alzheimer's caregiver or family member, a caregiver of someone with a disability, a parent or relative caregiver of someone with mental illness, or interact closely with anyone who has — you have a unique perspective on caregiving.
What sources, tips, or ideas would you recommend to a caregiver that wanted a bit more perspective on their role? What suggestions have others in your online communities made for caregivers?
Join the Alzheimer's Group and share your thoughts in the discussion.
Here are a few sources I found that could be helpful for caregivers.
Do you have any to add? Is there a blog you follow or an organization that you'd recommend?
Family Caregiver Alliance Fact Sheet
National Institute on Aging Caregiver Guide
About.com's Holistic Healing "Resources to help reduce some of these stresses caregivers are faced with on a daily basis caring for others."
The Caregiver Burden and the Widower Effect article on About.com's Senior Living written by Sharon O'Brien
The Aging Care Community - Join in and engage with other caregivers
Check out all of the featured articles and discussions on Aging Care by Minding Our Elders Author Carol Bradley Bursack
On WEGO Health:
Caregiver Information Discussion
Creating an Alzheimer's & Dementia Friendly Home
Helping Caregivers Help Each other
Alzheimer's Care
An Interview from an Alzheimer's Caregiver
Accepting Your Role As Caregiver
Tags: alzheimer's, caregiving, counseling, dementia, depression, illness, mental, stress
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Comment by misty2 on October 30, 2009 at 8:35pm - Besides here I belong to another Alzheimers group. I never realized just how difficult taking my dad in would be. When he came to live with me 6 years ago he was still driving and pretty independent. He has slowly regressed to where he is now which is bedridden, in diapers, and very childlike. Funny I believe he knows who I am but he does frequently refer to me as his wife. He does not reconize any pictures not even the grandkids. He watches television and I give him a big box of cards and pictures and little toys and he plays with them and rips them up. He stiffens up and willnot help if he doesn't want to. I said to my husband tonight that I never thought my dads life would be in diapers ripping up pictures of the family. It is just very sad.
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