Many Roles of the Family Caregiver

MANY rolesTHE family caregiver THE from Caring (com While taking care of older loved ones, family caregivers are also trying to carry on with their own OF THE lives. These are some of America's unsung heroes -- and here's a picture of the many roles they play. Advocate Nurse Consoler Many older adults need help asking When a loved one is frustrated, Caregivers hear about every ache and pain, ailment, and complaint. Doctor appointments, daily meds, symptom monitoring: A caregiver is there to help. the right medical, financial, and other questions. A family caregiver exhausted, and needs a moment to vent, a family caregiver listens and helps provide emotional support. makes sure a loved one is not alone when facing tough decisions. Helper Chef Companion Family caregivers do the mundane tasks -- shopping, cleaning, pulling weeds -- to manage the household while also assisting their loved ones with activities of daily living. Whether a loved one can no longer They're playing bridge, taking a walk, reading stories, or watching make meals or the doctor has ordered a new diet, a caregiver is often who cooks for the entire family -- balancing the most healthy options with budget and a program with their loved ones. Like friends, family caregivers help older adults avoid loneliness. time constraints. Safety Guard Mennymaker Stemard Caregivers are always thinking of ways to keep their loved one safe. They've got their eye on everything from bed rails to emergency response systems to safe driving and falls prevention. When aging or illness brings loved ones down, family caregivers help keep spirits high, offering hope, smiles, or a grateful outlook when When people can no longer care for themselves, family caregivers become the strong foundation. Without their love and support, it's needed most -- even though, sometimes, their own spirits are hurting too. many care receivers would not be able to keep going. What roles have you played today? With so many roles, it's easy to lose yourself. More than one-third of caregivers continue to provide intense care to others while suffering from poor health themselves. Older spousal caregivers (age 66-96) who experience 63% caregiving-related stress have a 63% higher mortality rate than noncare- givers of the same age. Family caregivers suffer depression at a rate twice the national average. Take time out fon YOU. Your much-needed break may be right around the corner. Your much-needed break may be right around the corner. For more info: http://bit.ly/many-roles-family-caregiver Sources: 1& 2: Schulz, R. & Beach, S. 1999. Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality: The Caregiver Health Effects Study, JAMA, 282: 2215-2219. Retrieved from http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/isp/content_node jsp?nodeid=1822. 3: Depression Levels Among Caregivers More Than Two Times National Average, Caring.com's Newest Study Reveals. Retrieved from http://www.caring.com/about/news-room/depression-levels-among-caregivers-more-than-two-times-national-average-caring-coms-newest-study-reveals.html.