Family caregivers don’t start off planning to be on call 24 hours a day, to fill their days multi-tasking, eating on the run, and focusing their lives around the needs of someone else. Everyone knows that is an un-healthy lifestyle-ripe for stress related illnesses. Family caregivers are usually motivated by love and are responding to the needs of someone they love. Events and responsibilities sometimes become larger than one person can manage on their own. Some caregivers find ways and help to provide the care their loved one needs without harming their own physical and mental health, others don’t. The ones that don’t are at risk of health issues and pre-mature death.
A study in 1999 showed “that being a caregiver who is experiencing mental or emotional strain is an independent risk factor for mortality among elderly spousal caregivers. Caregivers who report strain associated with caregiving are more likely to die than noncaregiving controls. Those with disabled spouses but providing no help and those helping a disabled spouse but reporting no strain did not have significantly higher mortality rates than noncaregivers.” The differences were related to the physical and mental health of the care provider. 1
Family caregivers of any age are less likely than noncaregivers to practice preventive healthcare and self-care behavior for a variety of reasons. Often they feel like there is a lack of time or financial resources. For whatever reason they tend to deprive themselves of sleep, good nutrition, exercise, rest when they are sick, and preventive medical care. They often feel isolated and alone with their responsibilities. They feel like they have no choices.
There is a choice however. Caregivers are not really all alone. There is help available in our community and support to make healthier decisions every day. Caregivers need to assume one more responsibility. They must assume responsibility for themselves and their own health.
It may be hard to take the first step asking for help or information once a person has convinced themselves that they are alone and doing things the only way they can be done, but the choice is take care of yourself or put yourself and the person you are caring for at risk. There is a reason we are cautioned to put our oxygen mask on first and then take care of the people we are responsible for every time we fly. Airlines know that there are some people who think of others first, even when faced with lack of air to breathe. The consequence is that they pass out and there is no one to take care of the people they are responsible for. Then the emergency becomes even worse! Family caregivers must take care of themselves to minimize risks for the people they are responsible for.
There are many great businesses and organizations all across the United States that provide services and information to help family caregivers provide care in a healthy way. It won’t take much time to check out these links which are for local businesses and agencies.
Aging Partners/Caregivers Support www.lincoln.ne.gov/aging
Caring Concepts www.caringconcepts.org
Home Access Solutions resource links www.HomeAccessSolutions.com
Nebraska Care Planning Council www.carenebraska.com
Southwest8Senior Services www.southwest8.org
The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging www.enoa.org
The Respite Resource Center www.respitenetwork.org
The league of Human Dignity www.leagueofhumandignity.com
There is also a great radio talk show called “The Art of Aging” which is on Thursdays 4:00pm on KCRO 660 AM Hosted by Dale Percival & Cathy Wyatt from Financial Visions, LLC. Tuning into a radio program is easy and you don’t have to leave home.
Finally, I strongly recommend that family caregivers find a way to attend a Family Caregiver Retreat, “ A time for You” April 27 & 28th at Mahoney State Park as a way to jumpstart their resolution to find ways to care for themselves in addition to others. People will gain emotional, physical, emotional, and mental respite in addition to meeting others who are leading similar lives and leaving with constructive ideas for future success as a caregiver. Honestly I don’t think most caregivers I’ve met can afford to miss this. Download the flyer for information on events, respite options and funding, lodging, and potential room and registration scholarships. Call Donna Washburn at 1 800-247-0938 for information.
Please share the news and share the video. Spread the word about the retreat and resources to help the family caregiver save themselves.
1 Shultz, Richard and Beach, Scott (1999). Caregiving as A Risk for Mortality: The Caregiver Health Effects Study. JAMA, December 15, 1999 - Vol. 282, No.23
