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The Caregiving Conundrum

Submitted by fiftyshift on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 16:51
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You're Not The Boss Of Them
 
By Helene J. Powers 

When I started blogging about caregiving a year ago, I had no idea how many more friends, acquaintances and family members would become caregivers, or need care for serious health issues themselves, during the past 12 months.

The number is mind-blogging. But my personal statistics are borne out by the hard-hitting figures put out by  National Family Caregivers Association. 

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a good time to ponder this vital information that likely hits home for you, as well:

*Each year, more than 65 million Americans--29% of the population--serve as caregivers to family members and friends with serious health and life conditions.

*These 65 million Americans provide "free" services worth a whopping $375 billion!! That's nearly twice as much as is spent on homecare and nursing home services combined.

*Most of these caregivers are working women. 30% of them are 65 years or older.

Caregiving is a time-honored traditon. But the differences in caregiving these days often creates huge financial, physical, social and other stresses on the caregivers. Consider these factors:

  •   People now live longer, including with chronic conditions and disabilities.
  •   Increased longevity results in caregivers often caring for their parents at the same time they're raising their own children.
  • Alzheimers is increasingly common and its incidence is projected to increase exponentially.
  • Many women, the traditional caregivers, now work outside the home.
  • There is still a huge disconnect in the U. S. heatlh care, political, economic and social systems between what individuals and families are grappling with and the very practical services that could support them in their caregiving efforts.

Are you caring for a family member or friend? What is your biggest challenge? What is your best resource?

Hélène J. Powers, M.Ed.,writer and educator, is the author of the Fiftyshift booklet Friends Indeed:How to Help During a Serious Illness. She shares caregiving group information, stories and tips on her blog  http://blog.helenepowers.com/.