2 Commentaires
par Judith DellaRipa | Mechanicsville, États-Unis
Helping Hand
4 J’aime
Objectif: Raise awareness and support for family caregivers through NICHE 4 Caregivers resources.
Access to better health services, improved educational opportunities and increased economic development have significantly contributed to longer life expectancies throughout the world. Older adult populations in developed and developing nations have been experiencing record growth for many years. With the aging of baby boomers, those persons born between 1946 and 1964, planning for and managing the care for an exploding elderly population will challenge health care organizations and public policy. The role of an informal caregiver has become an essential part of the healthcare team for elders who are living longer, but often with chronic or disabling illness. Without a reliable support system, many older adults are vulnerable for adverse outcomes such as hospital re-admissions, poor medication compliance, and malnutrition. It is family or friends who most often assume the role of caregiver, an unpaid position valued in the billions of dollars in the United States. It is estimated that seventy eight percent of adults living in the community and needing long term assistance depend on these informal caregivers as their only source of help. The act of caregiving can have positive benefits such as experiencing the older person’s full life, resolving conflicts and repairing relationships. But the negative aspects of caregiving are well documented and substantial, impacting not only the physical and emotional health of the caregiver, but also financial stability. It is reported that family caregivers often forego their own health needs. Many have poor eating habits or do not exercise regularly. Others exhibit symptoms of major depression. The financial impact of caregiving can deplete personal savings and threaten retirement funds. When attempting to balance caregiving with other responsibilities, there is an increased sense of burden and diminished satisfaction in the caregiver experience. For caregivers who work outside of the home, many report the necessity to make adjustments in their work schedules in order to accommodate their dependent adult’s needs, from being tardy to giving up employment entirely. For businesses, the economic impact of employee caregivers can include decreased productivity and higher health costs, resulting in significant financial losses. With the rapid growth of elder populations, more employees will assume family caregiving responsibilities. Where companies may include benefits such as daycare or time off for employees with children, few offer eldercare as an option. Employers must recognize the significance of caregiver burden and identify ways to successfully support their employees before the challenges associated with caregiving negatively impact the individual and the organization. A proactive approach benefits everyone- the care recipient, the caregiver, and the employer.
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Good job!
Lynette Loftus April 03, 2012
I have my 91 year old mom living with me who is still in pretty good physical condition. But she does have lapses in memory so I need to be prepared. Hope this site will help me. I work in 6w Pediatrics at SMH. My mom has been with me since May 2012. My biggest question is am I prepared for any end of life issues that require legal paperwork. She has a DNR, but I don't have power of attorney. What do I need to do for this?
Lucienne Nemeth November 03, 2012