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Caregivers, Take Care of Yourself!
Patricia Bordie, MPATexas Department of Aging
& Disability Services
Who are the caregivers?
• 30% of caregivers caring for seniors are 65 or older, 15% are between the ages of 45‐54,
typically female but this is changing• 40% perform some sort of “nursing care for
loved ones• 37% are in the “Sandwich generation”
caring
for children and parents • Long‐distance
Who are the caregivers?
• 14% of family caregivers care for a child with special needs
• Six in 10 family caregivers are employed. • 66% of employed caregivers have had to report
late to or give up work entirely• 1 in 5 family caregivers have had to take a leave
of absence. • Kinship caregivers
Impacts of Caregiving
• Physical: elderly spousal caregivers have 63% higher mortality rate than elderly non‐
caregivers• Emotional: STRESS‐
risk of depression‐
chronic health issues
• Social: ISOLATION‐
impact on relationships
Financial Impact
• Out of pocket medical expenses ‐
on average $5,531 per year
• Lost wages – leave, reduced hours59% of caregivers are employed
• The average caregiver in Texas provides 2,252 hours of care per year worth $22, 336 annually per caregiver
Barriers to Self‐Identification
• The term “caregiver”
is used for paid professional help not family
• Focus is on loved one and not self• Providing care is what a good spouse or child
does – no need for new term• Resistance to “labeling”
defining the individual
• Loss of identity
Call Yourself A Caregiver
• Use of the term “family caregiver”
enhances self identification
• Over 90% of family caregivers are likely more likely to seek support after they have self‐
identified
• Calling yourself as a caregiver promotes advocacy and outreach to policy makers &
other caregivers
Causes of Caregiver Stress
• Guilt• Disease processes – grief & loss• Feeling unprepared • Workplace issues• Financial impacts• Stigma – as with dementia• History – family dynamics
Symptoms of Caregiver Stress
Exhaustion
Anxiety
Overreaction
Change in Eating Habits
• Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities• Sleep problems – too much, too little
Symptoms of Caregiver Stress
• Easily angered, irritated or saddened• Increased health problems• Lack of concentration • Relationship issues• Use of alcohol or drugs• Denial
Reducing Caregiver Stress
• PLAN, PLAN, PLAN• Look at the situation as it is• AVOID the “always”
and “never”
• Ask for and accept help• Set goals and seek specific solutions• Engage in daily review of “what went well”
Taking care of You
• Trust your instincts• Address your healthcare needs• Focus on things you can control• Exercise, sleep & healthy eating• Stay connected • Join a support group • Use respite services
Respite Means Rest
Respite is a rest or a break from providing care for others.
Respite Means Rest
• Informal‐
friends & family, neighbors• Formal – in‐home, adult day programs, short‐
term facility‐based• Volunteer – faith‐based• Voucher Programs• Lifespan Respite Program Pilot Sites – Capital
Area, Central Texas, Tarrant County
People will forget what you said,people will forget what you did,
but they will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
REWARDS: “Caregiver Gain”
Only 10‐30% of caregivers report caregiving as a“burden”
(related to time, duties & isolation).
MOST CITE…• Stronger sense of purpose• Stronger bond with care receiver
• Children paying back
REWARDS (cont.)
• PRIDE in meeting the challenge• Improved relationship with those sharing the
care• Setting an example• New connections with • other caregivers• New role as advocate • TIME
Plans are useless, planning is invaluable.
Winston Churchill
Successful Planning
• Have the difficult conversations• Learn the system• Understand the disease process• Know yourself & your limits• Learn how to communicate• Identify key allies‐
family, friends, physician
• Set short‐term goals
Learn to Ask for Help
• Be specific about requests • Use formal caregiver supports• Ignore the self‐talk…
‐
but no one can do this like me‐
but he/she won’t let anybody else help‐
but I cannot burden my family‐
but I should be able to do this by myself
Caregiver Workplace Issues
• Impact employees of all ages• Absenteeism & “presenteeism”• Intense personal caregiving costs individuals
$659,000 over a lifetime• Annual productivity losses average 1,142 per
year, per employee
What employees can do
• Be open and honest about your situation• Confirm your commitment to your job• Be realistic about flexible options • Address your employer needs• Suggest solutions
What employers can do
• Open the door, start the conversation• Be flexible! Leave time, work hours, etc.• Provide caregiver education and training
opportunities – brown bag events• Implement caregiver support groups• Employee newsletter
What employers can do
• Publicize formal policies for family leave• Connect employees to community supports –
health fairs & screenings• Use Employee Assistance Program Resources• Create a culture where caregivers feel it is okay
to seek assistance
Texas Supports Caregivers
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Serviceswww.dads.state.tx.us/services/caregiver.html
Aging Texas Well Report: Informal Care in Texas www.agingtexaswell.org/publications/informalcare‐11‐09.pdf
Tips for Providing Care to Individuals with Alzheimer’sDisease www.dshs.state.tx.us/alzheimers/hints.shtm
Texas Supports Caregivers
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren –Benefits Informationwww.hhsc.state.tx.us/032608_Grandparents_Brochure.pdf
Texas A&M Aging/Gerontology Program Information(including caregiver, intergenerational, veterans & more)http://fcs.tamu.edu/families/aging/index.php
Texas Kincare Primer for relatives raising relative children www.tlsc.org/kincare.asp
We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support.
Strength needs it far more. Madame Swetchine
Patricia Bordie, Program CoordinatorAccess & Intake Division, Area Agencies on Aging Section [email protected]
