Caregiving | HealthInfi

Overview

As “baby boomers” begin to reach age 65, more and more families are facing the difficult task of caring for older, chronically ill or disabled family members. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, 48.9 million caregivers (21.2 percent of the adult population) provide unpaid care to an adult family member or friend. And because the majority of caregivers are female, this issue is a particularly important one for women.

The term “caregiving” is most often linked with elderly parents and in-laws, and about 70 percent of adults who require care are indeed over age 50. The rest are younger than 50 and include children with special needs and adults with serious chronic or mental illnesses.

Who Are the Caregivers?

The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) estimates that family members provide 86 percent of all care received by older adults. Over one-third (36 percent) take care of a parent. The average caregiver is just over 49 years old, and most caregivers are women. However, an increasing number of caregivers—34 percent—are men, so care giving is not purely a women’s issue.

The NAC reports that seven out of 10 caregivers are employed on top of the 20.4 hours a week they spend giving care, and 46 percent of them work full-time. As a result, two-thirds report going in late, leaving early or taking time off during the day to deal with caregiving issues, and 20 percent have taken a leave of absence.

Still, keeping a sick or disabled spouse, relative or friend at home is the first choice for many family members—even those who can afford other options, such as a nursing home.

Getting Started by Finding Help

If you are tackling the caregiving role for the first time, you may be surprised to learn that a great deal of help is available. A good starting point is the Eldercare Locator, a service of the Administration on Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Eldercare Locator, can connect you with a broad range of services in your community, such as transportation, home-delivered meals, legal services, social opportunities and respite care. All you need is the zip code of the person needing care or call 800-677-1116.

Another source of referrals is the social worker or geriatric care manager employed by the aging services, hospital, nursing home or hospice organization involved in the caregiving. For private help, contact the Aging Life Care Association at 520-881-8008. It’s also important to communicate with the appropriate health care professionals. And be sure to contact the local chapter of an advocacy group representing people who have the condition you’re dealing with—for example, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or other advocacy group.

There are many excellent legal, financial and geriatric care management services available free online. Some places to start include the Family Caregiver Alliance, and the Alzheimer’s Association. The more educated you are, the easier your job will be.

As you gather information and assume more responsibility, try to include your family member or friend in the decision-making process whenever possible. Does your mother want to remain in her home as long as possible? If relocation is necessary, does she have a preference as to where—or with whom—to live? You’ll need to factor in your relative’s condition. Is she in a wheelchair? Does he require a walker? The choice of residence—your home, her home, an assisted living facility, a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility—may be dictated by such mobility concerns.Read More