Who is a caregiver?
A family member or friend that serves as the
primary source of support for an impaired elderly person.
In most cases this is a spouse and 72% of the time the primary caregivers
are women. In the absence of a
spouse, a daughter is most likely to assume the role of caregiver.
Are you taking care of yourself?
When you care for others you often put your own
well-being aside. Take this simple
self-assessment as offered by the American Medical Association:
Caregiver's
Self-Assessment
The Top 10 Needs of Family/Friend
Caregivers:
1.
Information about community resources
2.
Help with feelings of resentment and guilt
3.
Help with dealing with the patient’s feelings of
loneliness and depression
4.
Information about the person’s diagnosis and
prognosis
5.
Respite care. A break from caregiving
6.
Diet and nutrition information
7.
Information about where to get legal advice
8.
Help with housekeeping, cooking, house and lawn
maintenance
9.
Spiritual comfort
10.
The promise that someone else cares about and supports their caregiving
work
The 7 signs of caregiver burnout:
1.
Not eating properly
2.
Becoming more emotional
3.
Feeling overwhelmed
4.
Starting to withdraw
5.
Interacting less with peers
6.
Having less mental focus at work
7.
Having a disheveled unkempt appearance
Training and Information
Information and training for caregivers will
improve the quality of care they can provide for their relative or friend.
These topics include bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, grooming,
transfers (from bed to wheelchair), and moving around; on hands training for assistance with medication and operating medical
devices for day to day living; a
knowledge of the condition of the relative or friend to be able to monitor
physical signs and symptoms. CPR
training is a good idea.
Some basic
safety adaptations to the home may be needed
such as access ramps, grab bars near toilets, or walk-in showers.
Other Activities of Daily Life
Important to caregivers as well as those needing
care include
:
-
Conversation and socialization
-
Music
-
Life recall and life planning
-
Physical activity/movement
-
Contributions to family, home, and community
activities
These websites offer online assistance and
information about different types of care:
The Administration on Aging provides a resource
book on-line:
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/caregivers
A self help web site to empower caregivers:
http://www.care-givers.com
Go to
this link for toll-free numbers that may
assist you.
Go to
this link for local providers that may assist
you.
