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April/May 2007 |
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Are You a Caregiver?Diana
Milne |
| When people hear the word "caregiver," they often
think only of professional caregivers, such as visiting nurses, nurse’s
aides, home health aides, homemaker aides, transportation aides, etc.
While caregivers may be paid or work as volunteers, in reality, most caregivers are family members or friends. As an older adult, you may wear the hat as a "caregiver" because you are a spouse, a sibling or a dear friend or neighbor of someone who needs regular assistance. That person may be ill, have a disability or be unable to perform some tasks on his/her own. Caregiving tasks may be of a temporary nature, such as helping out when someone is recovering from surgery, a broken bone or an illness; or the tasks may be of a more permanent nature—such as caring for someone who has had a debilitating stroke, been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or is losing their eyesight. Being a caregiver has its challenges. If you’re the spouse or the family member living nearby, your responsibilities may be more immediate and intense than the family member who lives 500 miles away. However, the family member who does live far away may often feel guilty, out of touch with what’s going on or left out of major discussions and decision-making. Some of the common issues that caregivers face are: Less time for personal and family activities. Care giving takes time, and as a result, caregivers have less time to spend with friends, extended family members and for hobbies or recreational activities they enjoy. B alancing job and caregiving responsibilities. Many seniors retire from a first career only to workfull time or part time in a second career. Caring for an ill or disabled spouse will probably mean quitting work and giving up that extra income. Adult children who provide care for ailing parents often find themselves taking leave without pay or putting their jobs in jeopardy by taking time off to tend to care giving duties and needs. F inancial hardships. The products and services associated with providing care can be costly and the costs quickly add up.P hysical and emotional stress. Care giving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially for caregivers who try to do everything themselves with little outside assistance.H ousing options. If you care for your spouse at home, you may suddenly be aware that your home isn't very suitable for an ill or disabled person. You may have to face the decision as to whether to downsize to a handicapped accessible senior apartment or assisted living center or to remodel your home to make it a more suitable, accessible environment.
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Kris Jenkins jenkinsk@missouri.edu Regional Specialist Human Environmental Sciencs Last revised: 01/29/09 |