- Who is a “family caregiver”?
Family caregivers, also known as informal caregivers, are usually family members, friends, and neighbors who provide care without receiving any pay for their services. Both men and women are family caregivers, although women make up the largest number of caregivers. The average caregiver is age 46, female, married and working outside the home. One third of those caring for seniors are themselves aged 65 or over. Over one million children, aged 8 - 18, provide care for an adult relative but are usually not the sole caregiver.
http://www.familycaregiving101.org/not_alone/stats.cfm
- Am I a caregiver if all I do is check in on my Dad every week to set up his medication box?
Yes. Family caregivers do everything from running errands to supervising daily activities to hands-on care. The amount of time spent on caregiving can be a few hours a week, daily or 24/7.
- How many family caregivers are there in the US?
More than 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year (http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org). According to Metlife Mature Market Institute (2002), 80% of all long term care services in the home are provided by family caregivers.
- Do family caregivers also hold full time or part time jobs outside the home?
One of the greatest challenges that caregivers face is juggling the demands of caregiving with the demands of holding a full-time or part-time job. Most caregivers are employed. Some find that they have to cut back on work, or even quite their jobs to continue caring
(http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=413).
- What if I agree to care for my mother and then discover that I can't handle it?
Most new caregivers are worried about whether they will be able to do what is necessary as a caregiver, especially if they have had no care giving experience. Many resources are available for guidance, education and support to help you. If your mother’s or your own physical or emotional state changes, it may become necessary to think about caring in a different way. Hiring caregivers in the home or arranging for the care for your loved one to take place by trained staff in an assisted living, personal care or nursing home care facility is still caring. Not everyone can or should be a caregiver at home. If you are unable to assume the role of family caregiver, don’t think of this as a failure.
- Is caregiver stress different than any other type of stress?
Yes and no. Most people experience stress one way or another. Caregiver stress is related to the caregiving role and can become an “added stressor” to the usual daily demands that people experience, such as juggling the responsibilities of holding a job or caring for children. Stress can take the form of frustration, anger, resentfulness, guilt, loneliness and exhaustion.
However, while caregiving can be challenging, it can also be rewarding. Caregiving can provide the satisfaction of “giving back” to a loved one, of feeling needed, and of having the opportunity to mend and strengthen relationships.
- Can caregiving affect my health?
Caregiving can take a toll on your health and place you at greater risk for injury and for physical and emotional problems. Caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers to suffer from depression, anxiety, chronic diseases, and diminished immune response. Knowing that you may be at risk can help you make a commitment to caring for yourself by eating well, exercising, building relaxation into your routine, seeing your doctor for regular check ups, and getting enough sleep.
- Why is it hard for family caregivers to be healthy?
Unfortunately, the nature of caregiving often leaves the caregiver with little time and few resources for personal wellness. Your own needs may take a back seat to the needs of the person you are caring for. Guilt (over doing something for yourself) and pride (that keeps you from asking for help) can become your worst enemies. Remember, in order to continue caring for your loved one, you must remain healthy: body, mind and soul.
- How can I avoid feeling frustrated, or angry, or guilty?
You may not be able to avoid these feelings; what’s important is how you handle them. Frustration can lead to resentment, can lead to anger, can lead to angry actions, can lead to guilt, can lead to caregiver burnout. Put a name on your feelings and accept your feelings for what they are. Then look for healthy ways to release the energy of these feelings: through physical activity, journaling, music, creative expression, venting to a trusted friend or talking with a professional for support and advice.
- How will I know if I’m heading for caregiver burnout?
You may: feel overwhelmed most of the time; sleep too much or too little; gain or lose weight; feel tired most of the time; worry constantly; feel sad frequently; lose interest in activities that used to be enjoyable; become easily irritated and angry; abuse alcohol or drugs; have frequent headaches or muscle tightness. You may also find that your usual coping mechanisms are just not working. Talk to someone -- such as a friend, or member of the clergy or your doctor -- about these changes. If your stress causes you to think about harming the person you are caring for, seek professional help right away.
- How can I convince my siblings that I need their help?
Many families find that they rely on one member to provide most or all of the care. There can be many reasons for this. Perhaps a brother or sister has a history of avoiding uncomfortable situations, or doesn’t want to “step on your toes,” or doesn’t want to or can’t disrupt their own lifestyle. Another reason may be, though, that you have not actually told them exactly how they could be of help to you. Can they pick up groceries or medications on Monday, sit with Mom for two hours while you go to church on Sunday, mow the lawn or repair a broken light switch? Often times, the resentment that builds in a caregiver can be avoided by listing specific duties that are needed. Hinting that you need help is not the same as asking for help. Of course, there are always going to be families who just plain take the easy way out and let “Sis” do all the work.
- Where will I find caregiving services in my community?
Start by asking your local Area Agency on Aging (http://www.n4a.org/). Even if your loved one is not elderly, they can still guide you in the right direction. Services that may be available in your community are transportation, meal delivery, home health care services, companion services, and legal/financial counseling.
- Is there any way I can take a break from caregiving?
Taking time off from your caregiving duties can help reduce stress. Respite services may be available to you in the form of in-home respite, adult day care centers, and short term nursing home respite. Consider asking a friend or family member to take your place for a spell, or obtain a list of available community caregivers to hire from your local Area Agency on Aging.
- What if I get sick or injured and there is no one to care for my loved one?
This is a real concern to most caregivers and is a good reason to develop a “Plan B.”
Ask yourself, “What would I do if I . . . had a gall bladder attack tonight and had to go to the hospital?” Or, “. . . broke my arm and needed to be a cast for 6 weeks?” Coming up with solutions to these kinds of questions can reduce anxiety about the “what ifs”.
