Family caregivers face a higher risk of depression than do non-caregivers. In fact, estimates show that between 40 to 70% of caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression.[i] And rates of depression increase as the health status of the care recipient decreases[ii] — higher levels of depression are seen in people caring for someone with a disorder that requires a great deal of hands-on care, such as dementia. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, 30 to 40% of dementia caregivers suffer from depression and emotional stress. 

What are some of the reasons family caregivers…

Almost all of us know someone who is a family caregiver—someone  who provides  frequent or even daily assistance to a family member, friend of neighbor.  We know this is a hard job, which often leads to feelings of stress, fatigue and isolation.  We want to help that person, and many of us even offer.  We say, “Please know that I’m here for you.  Call me if there’s anything I can do.”  But they don’t call.  Are they so in control of the situation that they don’t need help?

           Chances are…

As a family caregiver, your goal is to help your family member hear as well as possible so they can remain vibrant members of their community and connected to the life around them. While there have been many improvements in hearing assistive technology, and many people report that a hearing aid has greatly improved their quality of life, the reality is that many elderly people still resist any mention of their hearing loss, never mind getting treatment for it. And to be honest, many users of hearing aids report that “they’re…

Hearing aids have come a long way in the past decade.  According to Dr. Paul Y. Takahashi of the Mayo Clinic, “In recent years, hearing aid manufacturers have made great strides in developing hearing aids that are more effective for all types of hearing loss — including high-frequency hearing loss, the most common type of age-related hearing loss.”¹ Of course, you may have to prepare your loved one for the fact that finding the right hearing aid, in terms of effectiveness, cost and comfort, may take some time.  They may have…

The latest research from Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging showed that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing.¹ When I read this, I was expecting to see the suggestion that the use of hearing aids can, therefore, help prevent dementia. Unfortunately, that recommendation did not come (hearing aid use is the subject of the researchers’ next study).  So are there any lessons for a family caregiver of an elderly person who is exhibiting signs of hearing loss?

First, it…

Medical advancements and shorter hospital stays have enabled more chronically ill people to age at home. One result is that an increasing burden of responsibility for helping with daily care is falling on family caregivers, who may have taken on their role suddenly, and with little training.  Home care is often short-term, but the nurses, rehab therapists and social workers who come into your home can be invaluable in helping you learn skills and identify resources that will help you for the long-term. 

Here are some tips for caregivers to make the…

by George Hodan

Caregivers in our program report that one of the most difficult aspects of caregiving is having to watch a loved one in pain. They report feeling frustrated when they can’t do anything to help. And they feel guilty pursuing any comfort or pleasure themselves, almost feeling the need to suffer as well. Unfortunately, this creates a vicious cycle because the less a caregiver tends to his own needs, the less able he or she is to take care of a loved one, particularly one who is in pain.

Palliative…

According to the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving, there are 8.9 million people in the U.S. caring for someone over the age of 50 who has dementia. This is a full 20 percent of all family caregivers in this country. Caregivers of dementia patients are under particular pressures due to the long-term nature of the condition; they can face daily challenges communicating with their family members, managing their security, and helping them with the activities of daily living. As a result, many caregivers find themselves struggling to maintain their…

For many family caregivers, who often come to their work suddenly and with very little training or preparation, caregiving can become a central focus of their lives. While many family caregivers find enormous satisfaction in their caregiving duties, most find it extremely challenging on a physical and psychological level. And one of the biggest psychological issues faced by family caregivers is feeling lonely and isolated from the life they once knew.

If you find yourself having increased feelings of isolation or loneliness, please know that these feelings are shared by many…

As our population ages and advanced medical technologies enable people to live at home with chronic disease and disability, an increasing amount of responsibility for helping seniors is falling on family caregivers. There are over 44 million family members providing care to someone over the age of 50 in their home today, and many of these caregivers are unprepared for their role.

You may know someone who is taking care of a family member. It might be your elderly neighbor, who provides demanding care for his wife with dementia but can’t…