Caregivers Face Multiple Strains Tending Older Parents
Middle-aged adults who regularly help their elderly parents get by experience a drop in health and well-being in their own lives, a new study shows.

The study, published earlier this year in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, found these adult children were often juggling multiple roles each day, sometimes causing conflicts in roles or feeling overloaded.

"The accumulation of small and large daily stressors such as work deadlines, PTA meetings, supporting family and friends as well as providing routine assistance to a parent living outside one's house can build up," study leader Jyoti Savla, assistant professor of human development and gerontology at Virginia Tech, said in a university news release. "Sooner or later, they can spill over into other areas of life with negative mental and physical consequences. Days when help is provided to parents are more stressful than days when it is not," Savla said.

Salva's team studied diaries of the individuals who provided help to parents, more than half of which did so on two or more days each week. They found several factors, such as having a spouse and higher education, could decrease the conflict and demands on time. Also, those who believed in personal growth, mastery and self-acceptance experienced fewer negative consequences from helping their parents.

Read Full Article (U.S. News & World Report)

Comments (1 to 1 of 1)
staryize

3 days ago
Suggest Removal
It's great that the issues of caregivers is finally being recognized and I read the full article as well as a few from AARP regarding how to cope with caregiver stress and burnout. All their suggestions are great IF you have family and friends nearby or you have the financial resources to hire respite care. But what about those of us who are full-time live-in caregivers unable to work outside the home because of the high cost of non-medical senior care?

If anyone knows of any resources (financial, work-from-home opportunities, volunteer respite services etc.) please point me in the right direction. I had to leave my job in March to care for my mother full-time - she has parkinsons and has fallen too many times with injuries to be left alone. And assisted living/nursing home is not an option. While I have a fantastic emotional support system from my sisters (none live locally) I am at wit's end trying to find a source of income from home. I use a home helper service once in a while for my personal appointments, but other than that I only get out when mom feels well enough to go with me. HELP!!!
Signed,
Hopeful in Florida

What is an Independent Living Community?

Independent Senior Retirement Communities are designed for seniors who are basically independent but who would enjoy and benefit from being freed of some of life's "must do" or "nuisance" chores, such as: yard work; home maintenance; housekeeping; driving, especially at night and in bad weather; daily menu planning; shopping; cooking; clean-up and more.

Independent Senior Retirement Communities appeal to people for whom the large family home has become more of a burden than a pleasure, and to people who may have become somewhat isolated because they are able to get out less frequently, or because friends have moved away or their neighborhood has changed.

Independent Senior Retirement Communities offer an array of convenient services. They generally include restaurant style dining for one or more meals daily, housekeeping, transportation, 24 hour security and an emergency response system. Most also offer a wide range of amenities such as a fitness center, library, computer center, theater, arts and crafts studio, even an on-site beauty and barber shop.

In a nutshell, living in an Independent Senior Retirement Community is noted, "like being a guest in your own home."

Senior Home Care Services

Everyone shares similar concerns about health care for our parents, grandparents and loved ones as they reach retirement age and beyond. Perhaps your mother gets confused and can't keep her doctor appointments and medications straight. Or your dad seems depressed and doesn't enjoy fishing anymore. Maybe your grandmother needs regular attention for her Alzheimer's while you're at work. That's when Home Instead Senior Care can come into the home and be the caregiver for you.

Are you seeing that your loved ones need home health care as they age? Have you thought about a nursing home or assisted living facility, but want to keep them in their home for as long as possible? Are you starting to wear out because of the impact the senior care you're providing is having at work and with your family members? Do you fear for a loved one's safety?

Home Instead Senior Care can help with compassionate, home care services delivered right in your loved one's home. Whether a few hours a day or long term care 24 hours a day, a CAREGiver can assist you. All CAREGivers are thoroughly screened, extensively trained, insured and bonded, matched to your preferences, professional and reliable.


There are a wide variety of services available, and this list may grow to include activities and support that are unique to your needs. We also have information on Alzheimer's and dementia care or feel free to read more about us.

Senior Services include the following and more - all tailored to meet your needs:

Companionship Services

Offer elderly companionship
and conversation
Provide respite care
Monitor diet and eating
Check food expirations
Assist with evening and tuck-in
Aid with morning and wake-up
Arrange appointments
Provide medication reminders
Aid with reading
Assist with walking
Write letters and correspondence
Organize mail
Stimulate mental awareness
Assist with entertaining
Answer the door
Reminisce about the past
Assist with clothing selection
Care for houseplants
Provide reminders for appointments
Discuss current and historical events
Participate in crafts
Play games and cards
Supervise home maintenance
Record and arrange recipes
Oversee home deliveries
Prepare grocery lists
Clip coupons for shopping
Monitor TV usage
Mail bills and letters
Buy magazines, papers and books
Rent and play movies
Plan visits, outings and trips
Visit neighbors and friends
Read religious materials
Maintain calendar
Maintain family scrapbook
Record family history
Home Helper Services

Provide Alzheimer's Care
Assist with laundry and ironing
Take out garbage
Change linens
Plan, prepare and clean up meals
Make beds
Dust furniture
Drop off and pick up dry cleaning
Pick up prescriptions
Organize and clean closets
Assist with pet care
Shop for groceries and supplies
Prepare future meals
Escort to appointments
Accompany to lunch or dinner
Escort for shopping and errands
Attend plays and concerts
Escort to religious services
Attend club meetings and sporting events
Aid with airport tasks

Personal Services

Assistance with:
Eating
Grooming
Dressing
Bathing
Incontinence
Cognitive impairment
Mobility
Medication reminders


Services may vary by individual Home Instead Senior Care franchise office location.

DEALING WITH AGING PARENTS FINANCES

Planning for the financial care of an aging loved one is never an easy task, but with forethought, it can make an uncomfortable situation more tolerable and rewarding. Like many difficult situations with people we love, planning to take over a parent or older relative’s finances is best done in happier times, when both sides are healthy and various options can be considered. Unfortunately, events can sometimes intervene – death or illness can make an elder’s need for assistance a critical matter.


Once stricken, older relatives may be unable to understand questions or express their wishes in proper detail. If there is no plan, family members grasp at responsibilities – or shirk them – without any idea of what the older relative would really want.

What’s critical to understand is that such talks should go far beyond money. They need to be discussions about independence and basic preferences for the way an individual wants to live or die. Demographers believe that with the rising number of single Americans – those divorced or never married – these conversations will become increasingly complicated as they fall to nieces and nephews, younger friends or designated representatives.

Want to avoid a worst-case scenario? Start the conversation now. Here are some ideas:

Prioritize: Maybe this conversation isn’t just about where the will or health care power of attorney is. Maybe this conversation is about you noticing that a parent or loved one is moving slower, is more forgetful, is clearly looking like their health has taken a turn for the worse – and maybe that’s why you want to know where the will is. Jumping into money issues first is usually a mistake. Deal with immediate health and lifestyle issues first.

Talk with them, not at them: In some families, having a successful financial discussion means several attempts and some frustration. Don’t let yourself become angry or frustrated – just keep starting the conversation until it catches on. It might make sense to say something like, “You’ve always been so independent, Mom. I just want you to give us the right instructions so we do exactly what you want.”

By prepared: When a parent or relative becomes ill, the adult child or other relative is immediately in the drivers’ seat. That’s why it’s critical to make a list of questions for the elderly relative to answer in detail. The basics: Where important papers are, how household expenses are paid, who doctors and specialists are, what medicines are being taken and whether there’s a will, an advanced directive and a funeral plan (and money or insurance proceeds to pay for it). There may be dozens more questions beyond these based on your family’s personal circumstances. But in creating this list, ask yourself: “What do I need to know if this person suddenly becomes ill or dies?”

Ask for help: If you don’t fully understand your relative’s financial affairs, it might make sense for you both to talk to an attorney or a tax or financial adviser. A qualified adviser can offer specific suggestions on critical legal documents that should be in place and ways to make sure accounts to pay medical and household bills are accessible to the older person and the designated friend or relative who will hold power of attorney.

Plan a strategy together: You should discuss the relative’s preferences and trigger points for various stages of heath care. An individual always wants to stay in his or her home, but you should have an honest discussion about how much you can do at home as a caregiver and whether various services (home health aide, geriatric care manager, assisted living) should be introduced at various stages. Talking through what a parent will be able to live with at various health stages – and putting that information in writing – will save plenty of doubt and bitterness later.

What it do with the house?: If an elderly relative becomes sick, the equity in his or her home may come under consideration as a resource to pay uncovered medical or household maintenance. Since the home is both a major asset and an emotional asset, it’s best to get good advice and spell out specifically what the elderly relative wants done with their property.

Don’t keep the plan a secret: Once you settle on a strategy, make sure all family and friends understand the plan and their assignments.

The issues that come with caring for an aging parent or relative are never easy, but a little financial pre-planning can make this awkward time less uncomfortable for all involved.


Andy Barkate CCPS, CRPS is the President of California Retirement Plans & College2, a local Retirement & College Planning firm, with offices in Bakersfield, Lancaster and Ridgecrest.. Your questions and comments are welcome at, 661-631-4355, 760-371-2115, 800-914-6837 or e-mail abarkate@calretirement.com



Tue Sep 9, 2008 08:36:34 PDT
I agree this is a difficult subject to address with aging parents or other relatives. I've done it. I totally disagree with your last point. You should NOT sit down with friends and relatives and explain everything. It's not their business. A will, a Trust document, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care will suffice. The details need to be known by two or three trusted family members who also know the name of the Attorney who has been consulted. Older people do not want their personal business shared with family and friends. It's no one else's business.
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Plans for health village unveiled soon

14 August 2008

Detailed plans for a multi-million-pound “health village” development in Eye are due to be unveiled in the near future.

NHS Suffolk and the East of England Strategic Health Authority are on course to approve the plans - for the Hartismere Hospital site - in January 2009.

A development “partner” is due to be appointed soon after.

Now a one-day event is being organised to tell local people about the progress being made and show them how the new development may look.

NHS Suffolk's plans to close the geriatric in-patient facility at Hartismere Hospital and focus on a “care in the community” strategy caused a storm of controversy three years ago with heated local opposition.

However, a mood of acceptance

has pervaded the area as more detailed plans have emerged to

retain and increase out-patient clinics and set up a community health team.

The plan is to regenerate the site, possibly with the help of land sales for new homes, with the

development of a private care home - with some beds contracted by the NHS.

The Eye Locality and Implementation Group - a community group set up to help bring the plans to fruition - was recently given an update on the business case for the regeneration of the site.

During the meeting, the group agreed that a public event should be held in Eye to give people the chance to see the progress being made on plans for the site along with drawings of how the health facility may look.

Project team leaders from NHS Suffolk, the county's primary care trust, also told the group that good progress had been made in many areas, such as the appointment of architects to develop “concept drawings” for the site and continuing positive discussions with the local GP practice.

Representatives from EC Harris, the company drafting the business case for the site, talked about the process they were following and confirmed the timescales for

the delivery and approval of their work.

NHS Suffolk has also agreed to start working with the Suffolk Association of Local Councils to plan the local community liaison day for September or October.

Elizabeth Gibson-Harries, Eye Locality and Implementation Group chairman, said: “I am very pleased that we can be so confident around the progress to date and that we are in a position where we will be able to publicly share this information with the local community in the near future.

“It is important to the group

that the local community can hear and see what plans are being developed for this important local site.”

LONGTERM CARE INSURANCE

The average annual long-term care premium for individuals under 65 is $1,337.
The average premium for individuals over 65 is $2,862.
The average long-term care insurance policy purchased by a 65-year-old and held until death pays out 82 cents for every dollar.
Since 1987, fewer than 10 million Americans have bought long-term care insurance, and only about 7 million of those policies remain in force today.
Almost 30 percent of Americans over 45 have purchased a long-term care insurance policy