Dear Reader:

Blessed Are the Caregivers

We must admire those who give care to the sick and infirm in their families. They are, most often, untrained; their work is voluntary, and it is often overlooked. They feel as Baroness Pitkeathley, the former CEO of Carers UK does, “It’s my duty, isn’t it?”

It is estimated that today more than 61 million people care for family members, including elderly parents, spouses and children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Without this home care, most of these cared for loved ones would require permanent placement in institutions or health care facilities at great cost to society.

Parents and family caregivers are the backbone of the long-term care system and save health care insures and governments billions of dollars annually.

The work they do goes on without much notice or without consideration of what they may be going through. Many caregivers may not see themselves as “official” caregivers. So let me help.

You are a caregiver if you:

• Take care of someone who has a chronic illness or disease.
• Manage medications or talk to doctors and nurses on someone’s behalf.
• Help bathe or dress someone who is frail or disabled.
• Take care of household chores, meals, or bills for someone who cannot do these things alone.

These wonderful people deserve more than our admiration – they deserve our help.

Stress and Respite

The stress is undeniable. Are you familiar with the term, “caregiver stress”?

There is another term closely associated with caregiving – it’s respite. The physical, emotional and even the financial consequences for the family caregiver can be overwhelming without support, known as respite.

Without respite, caregivers may face serious health and social risks as a result of stress associated with continuous caregiving. The pressures a caregiver can feel can be enormous and difficult for them to express.

The pressures range from:

• Fear of Uncertainty – if you are caring for someone with cancer or another serious disease, you’re probably also dealing with concerns for your loved one’s future.
• Shift in Roles: If you’re caring for an elderly parent, it can be difficult to see someone who’s traditionally been in the role of caring for you to be now in need of help, often for basic activities like getting dressed or driving. When caring for an ill spouse, roles are often affected as well. It might be difficult to see your loved one in such a vulnerable position, and it’s often hard for those needing care to be feeling so helpless. This can take a toll on all parties involved.
• Financial Pressure: As doctor bills and other treatment fees accrue, and as less energy is left for work, caregivers often find themselves facing financial pressures as well.
• Isolation: When dealing with the needs of someone who requires constant care, a caregiver can feel isolated from the rest of the world. Whether you’re in a position where it’s unsafe to leave your loved one alone, or even if they just get lonely when you leave, you may find yourself much more tied to the house than before, which can make it more difficult for you to get exercise, connect with others, and do the things that help you take stress off.
• Little Time Alone: While caregivers may feel isolated from others, it’s also common to have very little time alone. The need for solitude is very real for most people, and the stress of getting little time alone can feel confusing for someone who also feels isolated, but both feelings can coexist with caregivers, causing their stress to multiply.
• Demands of Constant Care: Many caregivers find themselves giving round-the-clock care, or spending virtually every free moment attending to the needs of their loved one. Others find that their responsibilities are less constant, but never know if they’ll be needed at one particular moment or the next, so they feel like they need to be constantly available. The feeling of being "always on duty" can take a heavy toll on a caregiver.
• Guilt: Sometimes the responsibility and feelings of isolation can be overwhelming, and caregivers feel burned-out. Sometimes feelings of guilt accompany such feelings, as though they’re a sign of disloyalty. Feelings of frustration are understandable, but guilt is still common.

Although caregiving can be rewarding for many, it is undeniably stressful as well. There are, however, strategies that caregivers and communities can use to reduce the effects of this added stress. Information, resources and support are often available through senior centers and local public health departments.

These various ways for caregivers to care for themselves and let themselves relieve stress was collected from Caregivers and care managers of the Medicare Alzheimer's Project in Broward and Dade Counties in Florida.

They are as follows:

1. Find something to laugh about everyday
2. Take care of yourself physically
3. Eat a well-balanced diet
4. Talk with someone everyday
5. Give yourself permission to cry
6. Exercise
7. Get adequate rest
8. Have a bowl of cheerios and milk before going to sleep to promote better sleep
9. Avoid noisy and tension filled movies at night
10. Reduce caffeine intake
11. Seek professional help
12. Take a break everyday
13. Explore community resources
14. Listen to music
15. Learn relaxation techniques
16. Attend one or more support groups and educational workshops
17. Give yourself a treat at least once a month
18. Read your caregiver’s bill of rights.

What One Can Do To Prevent or Relieve Stress

• Find out about community caregiving resources.
• Ask for and accept help.
• Stay in touch with friends and family. Social activities can help you feel connected and may reduce stress.
• Find time for exercise most days of the week.
• Prioritize, make lists and establish a daily routine.
• Look to faith-based groups for support and help.
• Join a support group for caregivers in your situation (like caring for a person with dementia). Many support groups can be found in the community or on the Internet.
• See your doctor for a checkup. Talk to her/him about symptoms of depression or sickness you may be having.
• Try to get enough sleep and rest.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fat.
• Ask your doctor about taking a multivitamin.
• Take one day at a time.

Balancing Work & Caregiving

Studies show that an estimated 25.5 million Americans face the challenges of being able to balance work and caregiving of an elderly relative 50 or older. These caregivers are often emotionally and physically drained and thus can’t perform to their full capacity at their work. Thankfully, many managers are supportive.

There are several different ways one can balance work and caregiving:

• Learn your company’s policies (done by talking to your companies Human Resources department or consulting your companies employee handbook and see what benefits your company has to offer)
• Know your rights (done by asking the Human Resources department for Family & Medical Leave Act)
• Talk to your manager
• Inquire about flex time (the possibility of working from home once or twice a week so you can also perform your care giving duties)
• Don't abuse work time (do work while you’re at work instead of using it as care giving time)
• Stay organized.
• Seek help
• Say thank you to coworkers.

God does not overlook the work you do. Hebrews 6:10

 

I invite you to read, learn, enjoy!

Eric Von

Publisher/Editor