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Family Caring for Elderly Struggle in Many Areas

March 15, 2017

Family Caregivers of Elderly Struggle in Many Areas

 

Family caring for seniors likely to Face Difficulties at Work and Home

Senior and daughter talking

Evidence of the stresses of family care giving just keeps mounting. A new study suggests that family and unpaid caregivers who provide substantial help with health care were more likely to miss out on valued activities, have a loss of work productivity and experience emotional, physical and financial difficulties, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.

The study included 1,739 family and unpaid caregivers of 1,171 older adults. The caregivers provided substantial, some or no help with health care, which was defined as coordinating care and managing medications.

Caregivers who provided substantial help with health care were more likely to:

  • Live with older adults
  • Experience emotional, physical and financial difficulty
  • Participate less in valued activities, such as visiting friends and family, going out for fun, attending religious services, and participating in club or group activities
  • Report loss of work productivity
  • Utilize supportive services, although only about one-quarter utilized such services

If you do need help, would other family members or friends be willing to assist you, at least part of the time? Could organizations within your community help? Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to get a feel for what is available in your vicinity.

To learn more about how to combat the stresses of family care giving, check out the resources at CaregiverStress.com. Why not contact your local Generation Solutions office ? A Generation Solutions caregiver could provide a variety of services including respite care, companionship, light housekeeping, medication reminders, meal preparation, transportation, bathing/dressing, and more for your loved one.  Call today to learn more. Lynchburg (434) 455-6500 or Roanoke (540)776-3622