Senior Assisted Living Care Home - Glendora, CA - Adora Hills

Glendora Senior Care Home

Caregivers

Many Seniors Are Being Cared For By Their Family Members

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Family caregiving for adults over age 50 is a growing field.  Estimates state that 34.5 million American family members have taken on this unpaid part/full-time job.  (Actually, for many, it is a labor of love.)

About 24% of caregivers live with the senior they care for.  Often, their home is not ideal for providing senior care, needing modifications to increase access and safety.

The majority of these caregivers are women – 66%.  Average age is 49 years old.  Typically, the caregivers have a job outside their home, yet still spend about 20 hours per week providing care.  Most are married or living with a partner.  Many are ill-prepared for the tasks they take on, learning as they go.  Also, many overtax themselves and put their own physical, mental and/or emotional well-being at risk.

The demands for family caregivers will continue to grow in future years.  The big reason, the senior population over the age of 65 is expected to increase at a rate higher than the pool of family members available to care for them.

Common Traits

Caregiving starts with love and a sense of duty.  Here are some other critical character traits listed on Caregiver.com that can help lead to success, or survival, or hope.

  1. Strong & Resilient Backbone – The ability to fight the mental and emotional battles.  Also, the physical backbone often comes into play.
  2. Tenacity – Tied to backbone, caregivers have to have the drive to keep going.
  3. Flexible Goals – As the situation changes, the caregiver may have to adjust their objectives.
  4. Can Blow Off Steam – Has the ability to vent and recharge, even in a short amount of time.
  5. Ability To Laugh – Can find, or even create, reasons to laugh.
  6. Networked – Willing to work with a team and delegate to others.
  7. Can Forgive – Blame and guilt are no-no’s.

Giving A Safer Lift

Often, caregivers are put in a position to shoulder the physical weight of the person in their care.  They may have to lift or transfer a loved one from one position to another.  Or they may be needed to provide support and stability, or prevent a fall.

While performing these tasks, they often put their own body, especially their back, at risk.  Here are some suggestions for giving a safer lift.

  • Follow fundamental lifting and transfer techniques that maximize the use of balance and leverage. 
  • Install grab rails in bathrooms and hallways.
  • Utilize assisting equipment.
  • Toilet seat risers.
  • Shower bench or chair.
  • Gait belt.
  • Transfer board.

(Sources:  Caregiver.com, Caregiver.org, AgingCare.com, Help4Seniors.org)

Caregivers Need Love, Too! Take Care Of Yourself While Caring For An Elderly Loved One 

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Taking care of yourself can help you care for your loved one with clarity, energy, and without resentment.

The love of a parent caring for a child is so often a selfless love.  But, what happens when the roles reverse and the adult child becomes responsible for the well being of their elderly parent?  This love is no less selfless.  However, it often doesn’t feel quite right. 

There may be confusion, sadness and helplessness over seeing one’s parent (is also their hero) struggle to handle normal activities of daily living.  There may also be feelings of guilt because you are “not doing enough”.  All too often this results in the caregiver burning out from trying to do it all, with little help from anyone else. 

Although often difficult, caring for a loved one does not have to be totally overwhelming.  To that end we offer the following…

Survival Tips for the Caregiver

Learn all you can – When you discover what to expect and become aware of normal symptoms, you are less likely to become confused, or blame yourself for not preventing the problem. 

Recognize your feelings – Right from the start, get used to checking in with your emotions.  Deal with feelings of guilt, anger, sadness, etc. before they become unmanageable.

Ask for help – This is often the most difficult thing for a caregiver to do.  We think we have to do it all ourselves.  Try to remember two things:

  1. You deserve the help.  You are not an expert in this area, and even experts don’t try to do it all by themselves. 
  2. People like to help.  Although they are not always available at the right time, family and friends typically want to be needed.  When someone asks “What can   I do?” you should be prepared to give them some options. 

Note:  Think about the help you need ahead of time.  You can even make a list and have the helpers choose from the list.   

Use professionals – In addition to asking friends and family for help, take advantage of resources that are available to you.  Some to consider: 

  • Social Workers
  • Nursing Services
  • Counselors
  • Day Care Services
  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Caregiving Services
  • Community Services

Watch for signs of  burnout –  If you are not getting enough sleep, food, or time for yourself, you are a candidate for burnout.  If you need tranquilizers, alcohol, coffee, or other substances to help you get through the day, you may be on the verge of burnout.  If you constantly feel overwhelmed, trapped, or discouraged, you may be in the middle of burnout.  Do not ignore these signs.  Get help.

Take care of yourself – You may avoid burnout if you take care of your own physical, mental and social needs.  Plan for time away from your caregiver responsibilities.  Exercise and get plenty of rest.  Eat right.  (Often, caregivers neglect their own nutrition while looking after that of their loved one).