You may be surprised to know that when your love ones age, and can no longer take care of all their needs, MORE than 80% of their care is provided by unpaid family members.
Often the caregiver's needs are secondary to the aged one in need of care. Failing to care for one's own needs can lead to stress, depression and physical problems.
Caregivers need to find a strategies to balance work, caregiving and family demands. They need to look for others who can help share the responsibility for caregiving - and ask for help.
Adult Day Care, if they are fortunate enough to have one in their community, is a good option. Often transportation can be arranged to get their loved one there and back. Many Adult Day Care Centers also offer hygiene assistance or bathing as well as meals and snacks, social activities, exercise and friendships - and offer full or half-day options.
Non-medical home care is another option, if even for a few hours, so caregivers can run errands, get a haircut and do the weekly grocery shopping or just take an afternoon off to have lunch with a friend or go to church.
Another option is out-patient therapy - physical therapy can help them get stronger and be more mobile and occupational therapy can help them learn new ways to help themselves, if they are able.
Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio provides all these services and more.
To talk to an expert in aging, call 937-547-7600.
Caring for the Aging Adult's Caregiver
Family on the Brink - Caring for Elderly Parents
FACTS & TIPS FROM BARBARA MC VICKER'S BLOG
Over 75 million people care for an elderly parent.
Most decisions are made out of crisis. Being proactive is the only way to stay sane.
Let go of futile efforts and focus on the battles you can win.
Consider your own needs first! Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others!
70% of adult children have never talked to their parents about finances.
People age 85+ are the fastest growing segment of the population.
It's never too soon. Start the conversation early while your parents are still able to make decisions.Barbara provides clients, sales professionals, and caregivers essential caregiving information.
Don't sacrifice yourself for the perceived good of your parents without including your own needs.
Even great families become dysfunctional while caregiving for elderly parents.
It's normal to feel angry, resentful, guilty, inadequate, and lonely. Handle those feelings properly.
The best gift we can give our children is to get our financial, medial, & legal documents in order now.
Take time off! You're more useful when you're relaxed and healthy!
Be prepared to say goodbye.
Barbara McVicker
Stuck in the Middle LLC
614-893-6467
ABC Nightly News has had a week-long series running about siblings caring for aging parents titled "Family on the Brink". During one episode, they interviewed a family who said there were clashes as they first started out caregiving. Now the adult children have some suggestions:
•Ask for Help
•Support the Primary Caregiver
•Remember that Everyone Reacts Differently
•Don't Let This Tear the Family Apart
Some additional suggestions I'd like to offer are that the whole family needs to support the primary caregiver by:
•Saying "Thank You"
•Sharing the Care
•Arranging Respite Care
•Providing Financial Support
•Providing Emotional Support
-Barbara McVicker
