|
Redwood Area Hospital
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Shelly Pauling,
Education & Communications Manager
RE: Caregiver Burnout - Adult Day Care Services to the Rescue
DATE: December 30, 2008
If you are a primary caregiver for a loved one, you are well
aware of the daily stress and emotional and physical impact it
can have on your health.
Susan learned this first hand when she and her husband, Tom,
brought his Mom home to live with them. Mom suffered from
dementia and had to be watched constantly. Susan found that when
you become a caregiver, you start by giving up a few things you
usually do for yourself to make up for the time needed for
caregiving. Even though your service is one of love and you are
willing to do the sacrifice on behalf of your loved one, you
find yourself giving up a lot more as time goes on.
“As a caregiver,” Susan laments, “You are often frustrated that
you can’t do enough for your loved one and so guilt and feelings
of inadequacy set in. Couple that with feelings of being unduly
burdened, of resentment, of stress and then of more guilt at
having those feelings."
She continues, "Now don’t get me wrong, I am very glad that I
spent those years in caregiving. There were many cherished
moments with Mom that only I experienced.”
In order to enjoy those moments and sustain your caregiving
momentum, a little respite is essential.
An article posted on About.com by Carrie Hill, PhD states:
“Caregivers who use respite care often tell me that although
caregiving is one of the hardest jobs they've ever had, they
wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Helping a family
member or close friend who has Alzheimer's disease can provide a
sense of purpose and great satisfaction. Still, the emotional
and physical demands of caregiving make it hard to be a
caregiver 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without respite care --
a temporary break from the demands of caregiving -- you may be
more susceptible to the effects of caregiver stress, such as
depression, exhaustion and other health problems.
Carrie Hill, PhD, About.com “Why Caregivers Need Respite
CareGiving Yourself a Break Helps You and Your Loved One”
Updated: August 3, 2008
Be on the lookout for caregiver burnout. It can creep up on you
without your noticing it. Caregiver burnout symptoms can
include:
depression
anxiety, irritability, or anger
feelings of exhaustion
self-criticism
Withdrawal from usual activities
trouble with handling caregiving responsibilities
substance abuse
The need for support for caregivers at home has received
national recognition. State Human Resource Departments and Area
Agency on Aging Services are offering more counseling and
respite services for caregivers. The ARCH National Respite
Services is also an organization that is reaching out to educate
and support caregivers in many states. There is, however, one
service that is highly valuable but very underused:
Adult Day Care to the Rescue!
Adult Day Care respite is two-fold. It gives the caregivers much
needed time to themselves and gives their loved ones social and
interactive therapy with their peers.
Many adult day services offer such things as:
Social activities; music, movies, crafts, excursions
Meals
Fellowship support
Assistance with daily living
Nursing care
Help with activities of daily living
Medications
Physical therapy
Transportation
Finding an Adult Day Services provider takes a little
investigating on your part. It is important to know what you are
getting and that your loved one is comfortable with his or her
new surroundings.
First: Ask for recommendations.
Check with your local Senior Center, Area Agency on Aging
Services, Mental Health Centers, Doctor, Clinic, Family, Friends
and neighbors. The best recommendation is by someone who has
used the adult day services or is familiar with those who run
it.
Second: Call and ask the facility to send you information.
Ask specifically to be sent the application, eligibility
requirements and payment information.
Ask to see the calendar of activities, menus, hours and days
of operation are needed to be sure to fit your schedule.
Ask about availability of transportation to and from the
location and what is the cost.
Ask who runs the facility. Is it private, non-profit or a
franchise or part of an assisted living facility or a nursing
home?
Third: Visit the Adult Day Care facility.
Go visit the provider location along with the person you are
caring for.
See if the staff is friendly.
Check that it is clean and odor free.
Ask about the experience of the staff.
Request a list of references.
Fourth: Find out the cost and payment requirements.
A survey from NCOA/NADSA provides the following information on
fees:
“Fees for Adult Day Care providers range from $25 per day to $70
per day, with the average around $50 per day. Many facilities
provide services with a sliding fee scale.”
One last word of advice. Don’t feel guilty about taking your
loved one to adult day care.
Susan’s mother-in-law complained bitterly about leaving home and
going to the adult day care facility, expounding on how Susan
just didn’t want her around anymore. This only increased the
guilt Susan was already feeling, but Susan was also determined
that she needed the respite time the day care would provide and
they pressed forward. That evening as Susan picked up Mom and
helped her into the car, Mom -- who suffered from dementia --
exclaimed, “That was the nicest resort I have ever been to!”
To learn more about the AOA National Caregiver Support Program
go to:
http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/caregiver.aspx
The National Care Planning Council supports Caregivers and Adult
Day Care Providers
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/a7adultdaycareservices.htm
For more information about the Redwood Area Hospital
Caring
Connections Adult Day Services Program call Lynn
Buckley, LPN at 507-637-4508.
|
|
Copyright © 2009 Redwood Area Hospital. All rights
reserved.
100 Fallwood Road ~ Redwood Falls, MN 56283
507-637-4500
|