It may be a work of love or, less frequently, a necessity. Each year, over 43 million U.S. adults will give unpaid care to a person with a serious illness. These frequently overlooked people devote countless hours to helping others. But, the burden of providing care for others might be detrimental to their own health. Researchers supported by the NIH are investigating the dangers these caregivers confront. Scientists are also looking for improved ways to safeguard the health of caretakers.
Many of us will eventually find ourselves taking care of others. We’re likely to assist elderly family members who are unable to care for themselves adequately. Such caregiving may entail routine duties including assisting with meals, bathing and dressing, and other daily activities. Managing finances, health insurance, prescriptions, shopping and doctor appointments are also examples of this. In addition, caregivers frequently offer emotional support.
Informal caregivers are those who offer unpaid care to an aged, ill, or disabled family member or friend in their home. Most are of a medium age. Almost two thirds of them are women. One who is 75 years of age or older is helped by about half of informal caregivers. The need for unpaid informal caregivers will increase as the number of elderly people increases nationwide.
Some people can thrive when providing care for others, according to studies. Providing care for a loved one may be helpful to improve relationships. Some people find satisfaction or joy in taking care of others. But for many, the stress of providing care can be too much and very stressful. Without any formal training, friends and family frequently take on the job of caregiver. They are expected to handle a variety of difficult requirements on their own. The majority of caregivers work a full-time job in addition to the hours of unpaid care they provide for others. Research have connected unofficial caring to a number of chronic health issues such as cancer, obesity, arthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease. Also they may be more susceptible to feeling melancholy developing depression and anxiety.
According to Kent, caregivers may even experience physical health issues as a result of their work, such as back or muscular aches from lifting patients, carrying wheelchairs or hauling scooters.
Depending on the condition of the person they are caring for, caregivers may confront a variety of dangers and obstacles. Caregiving for family members who have cancer or dementia can be particularly taxing. According to research, these caregivers are more physically and mentally taxed than those who look after fragile seniors or diabetic people.
Caregiving has a significant financial, physical, and emotional costs. Despite all of its benefits, according to Dr. Richard J. Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health. “One significant finding from our research is that carers are less likely to find time to treat their own health issues because of the stress and time demands imposed on them.”
In order to provide more intensive care over a shorter period of time, Kent notes that cancer caregivers frequently put in more hours each day. Cancer patients health might rapidly worsen, which can put caretakers under more stress. Moreover, strong cancer treatments can severely impair individuals. They could require additional attention and frequent medication monitoring.
They examined the expenditures of health care and concluded they can have a significant impact. According to a recent study, families of dementia patients spent an average of $61,522 over the final five years of their loved one’s life, which is 81% more than the average for seniors who passed away from other causes.
Researchers have discovered that dementia caregivers have especially high amounts of potentially hazardous stress chemicals. Agitation, anger, difficulty sleeping, roaming, and disorientation are just a few of the issues associated with dementia that caregivers and those receiving care frequently contend with. These caregivers had a longer duration of illness, a weaker immune response to the flu shot, and a slower rate of wound healing.
REACH (Resources for Improving Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health) is a significant, growing effort to reduce
caregiver stress. A supportive, instructional program for dementia carers has been shown to significantly improve their quality of life and lower rates of clinical depression nearly ten years ago by NIH-funded researchers. Over the course of six months, trained staff members communicated with caregivers by calling them on the phone, making many home visits, and conducting structured telephone support sessions.
“REACH demonstrated the need for support among caregivers. They need to be aware that there are resources and people who can assist them, says Dr. John Haaga, who is in charge of the NIH’s behavioral and social studies on aging. More people are currently using the REACH program. It has been modified for use in no-cost community-based initiatives, like those run by nearby Area Agencies on Aging. In cooperation with the Administration for Community Living, it is also used by the Indian Health Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We understand how to assist families taking care of senior citizens. But, those families who require it do not have easy access to that information, according to Dr. Laura Gitlin, a coauthor of the REACH study and a specialist in caring and aging at Johns Hopkins University. “Caregivers need to understand that taking time for themselves is not only permissible but also advised. They should also think about joining a support group for caregivers, scheduling daily breaks, and continuing their own pursuits. Contact the National Institute on Aging at 1-800-222-2225 or [email protected] to learn more about caregiver resources connected to aging (link sends e-mail). Call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-422-6237 to find out more about caregiver resources for cancer patients. You can find a number of online resources for caregivers on the internet.Enjoy the small things, the small accomplishments. Be patient and stay kind. It’s difficult for the folks being cared for. They may be frustrated that they can no longer do the things they once could. Stay positive!