The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

The ABCs of Family CaregivingShared Wisdom

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

72% have no help

Sandwich generation—adult children caught between providing for their own young families and assisting their aging parents

People juggle the demands of their busy lives –jobs, children, etc. – all competing for their time

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

Family caregivers —family members who provide informal care to seniors

By the year 2030, 70 million Americans – 20% of the population – will be over the age of 65

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

How to Help a SeniorRemain Safe at Home:

Keep the environment simple and uncluttered

Look for – and eliminate – dangerous objects and situations

Keep these and other similar substances out of reach or locked up: cleaning or art supplies; medications; poisonous houseplants; etc.

Use nightlights in halls, bedrooms and bathrooms, and use guardrails on beds

Install grab bars and non-skid tape in bathroom tubs and showers

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

Communicating with a Senior:

Speak respectfully

Use familiar terms and concrete words, especially for those with Alzheimer’s

Ask questions that require a “yes” or “no” response

Redirect the situation when needed

Ignore verbal outbursts

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

31% of family caregivers would like assistance

25% resent family members who don’t help more

55% of family caregivers appear to have average or significant levels of stress

According to a Recent Home Instead Senior Care® Survey:

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

Caregiving can be particularly hard for a spouse, especially when the care recipient requires around-the-clock assistance

When caregivers neglect self care, they end up incapable of assisting those seniors who need their help in the first place

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

Home Instead Senior Care and Caring Today Magazine recently held an essay contest that had the theme of caregiving

Prize-winning entry put it succinctly:

“A worn-out caregiver is good to no one.”

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

Tips for Caregivers to Avoid or Manage Stress:Exercise for 20 minutes at least three times per week

Eat well

Meditate

Attend to personal medical needs

Get help from family members, friends, volunteers, or professional non-medical caregivers

Find a local caregiver support group

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

To learn more about caregiver stress, visit our web site at www.caregiverstress.com

If you’d like to learn more about our services, or if you’re interested in employment as a Home Instead CAREGiverSM, please contact my office – a local, independently owned and operated Home Instead Senior Care franchise

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

If you’d like to learn more about our services, or if you’re interested in employment as a Home Instead CAREGiver, please contact my office—a local, independently owned and operated Home Instead Senior Care® franchise.

The ABCs of Family Caregiving | Shared Wisdom

Thank You!