Boston family caregivers face a substantial amount of stress, the caregiver burden, from carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Not only are family caregivers responsible, or so it feels, for the livelihood of their senior care recipient, they might be overwhelmed by their many responsibilities. Between caring for their own family and children, working out of the home, managing a household, and looking after a senior, caregivers have a lot to deal with and little time to themselves.

To reduce the stress they feel as caregivers, those responsible for the care of a family member can use simple techniques to make their job easier, reduce the caregiver burden, and allow them to focus on their own well-being.

1)    Use assistive technologies that promote safety
2)    Ask for help from family
3)    Hire an in-home, non-medical caregiver
4)    Use services to help out with housekeeping (caregivers often do light-housekeeping, and agencies can assist with yard work and more strenuous chores)
5)    Attend caregiver support groups to talk to others in similar situations
6)    Enroll the senior in rehabilitation therapy to improve their mobility, and remember your own health
7)    Communicate with the care recipient and your family about your experiences
8)    Try to maintain the relationship that existed before caregiving when possible, both with your family and care recipient
9)    Take time out for yourself
10)    Don’t get yourself down if the care recipient’s condition seems to decline; you can help them, but can’t control it all!

Sources:
1.    Extension
2.    AARP

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Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Those who provide care for their Boston spouse face the same challenges as other family caregivers. However, in addition, they also have their own struggles which are unique to their situation. Caregiving for a spouse can cause changes in the relationship, based on reduced intimacy and changing roles in the family; so it’s important that seniors who are establishing caregiver relationships with their spouse maintain communication, try and separate their caregiver relationship from their emotional one, and have a plan for their future.

When caregiving for a spouse, both parties may need to adjust and take on new roles. While one spouse may have previously been responsible for financial matters, the other one may need to step in and take over as part of their caregiving responsibilities. While it is part of the caregiving burden, acceptance and communication during these role changes is crucial; but Boston spousal caregivers also need to make a point to maintain elements of their relationship before they became a caregiver. In order to maintain an emotionally and physically intimate relationship, the relationship shouldn’t be allowed to turn into one of a parent and child. Ensure that you continue to do activities you once enjoyed together, and discuss your sexual intimacy.

Remember to plan financially, and have a backup plan should something happen to the care giver spouse so the care recipient receives the care they require. Both spouses should also understand that a level of caregiving stress is common, so a plan should be in place for respite care when the caregiver needs to step temporarily out of their role.

Sources:
1.    Caregiver-Connect
2.   Revolution Health

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Bostonians who provide care for their spouse face the same challenges as other family caregivers. However, in addition, they also have their own struggles which are unique to their situation. Caregiving for a spouse can cause changes in the relationship, based on reduced intimacy and changing roles in the family; so it’s important that seniors who are establishing caregiver relationships with their spouse maintain communication, try and separate their caregiver relationship from their emotional one, and have a plan for their future.

When caregiving for a spouse, both parties may need to adjust and take on new roles. While one spouse may have previously been responsible for financial matters, the other one may need to step in and take over as part of their caregiving responsibilities. While it is part of the caregiving burden, acceptance and communication during these role changes is crucial; but spousal caregivers also need to make a point to maintain elements of their relationship before they became a caregiver. In order to maintain an emotionally and physically intimate relationship, the relationship shouldn’t be allowed to turn into one of a parent and child. Ensure that you continue to do activities you once enjoyed together in Boston, and discuss your sexual intimacy.

Remember to plan financially, and have a backup plan should something happen to the care giver spouse so the care recipient receives the care they require. Both spouses should also understand that a level of caregiving stress is common, so a plan should be in place for respite care when the caregiver needs to step temporarily out of their role.

Sources:
1.    Caregiver-Connect
2.    Revolution Health

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

According to a report published by the AARP, in 2007 the economic value of family caregivers would have been $375 billion if they had been paid for their home care assistance. However, it is the value of family caregivers that cannot be measured monetarily that makes a far more substantial impact on the lives of seniors they provide home care for.

Family caregivers sacrifice greatly to provide help to their senior relatives in need. A great majority of family caregivers are men and women with full or part-time careers, which they balance along with their in-home senior care responsibilities and providing care for their immediate family and often, young children. Family caregivers sacrifice in order to better the lives of their senior relatives or parents, by identifying the aspects of home life that seniors are struggling with and providing their assistance; allowing seniors to remain at home with some resemblance of an independent lifestyle that doesn’t require them to live in a community living facility for the elderly.

Sometimes seniors become resentful of their caregivers, and forget to place value upon what they’re sacrificing to improve the senior’s lifestyle, because they are resentful of the loss of independence that has occurred due to the aging process. So seniors asking for help from their families or hiring a caregiver need to remember just how valuable a contribution a caregiver can make to the life of a senior.

Sources:
1.    AARP
2.    National Family Caregiver’s Association

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

At approximately $174,000, the average lifetime cost for senior Alzheimer’s care, the disease can take a toll on the finances of seniors and their families. There are two major aspects of Alzheimer’s and finances that seniors and their families need to consider; advance financial planning, to prepare for a stage when the senior may be unable to be involved in their own financial decisions; and understanding the costs associated with Alzheimer’s care.

Elderly costs for Alzheimer’s care do vary dependent upon the progression of the disease; but can average around $18,000 per year for early Alzheimer’s care, $30,000 for a senior with moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms and $36,000 during the latter stages of Alzheimer’s disease. 75% of the costs incurred are due to Alzheimer’s care required in the home, while the other 25% of average Alzheimer’s costs relate directly to health care. Since costs of Alzheimer’s care are so significant, often seniors are unable to support the costs self-sufficiently, and family caregivers may become responsible for medical and care costs.

Seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s, may also become physically and mentally unable to manage their finances self-sufficiently, so during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease it’s important for seniors to establish a living will, appoint a Power of Attorney, and ensure that all bills and financial documents are consolidated.

With appropriate planning and consideration of the costs implications of Alzheimer’s, seniors and their families can put greater emphasis upon health over finance.

Sources:
1.   Alzheimer’s Association
2.   About.com

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Most family caregivers don’t do what they do because they think it will be easy or fun; they provide care because of their love for a senior and concern over their health. Caregivers will have an easier time coping with the challenges, if they have an understanding of what to expect.

Physical Challenges

• Caregivers may be responsible for most or all of the light and heavy housework, which can become trying especially when combined with their own responsibilities at home

• Caregivers often need to help seniors with limited mobility, which can involve lifting and moving them. If  a caregiver is not physically strong they may injure themselves or the senior

Mental Challenges

The challenges referred to here, are those that a senior’s mental issues may present to a caregiver.
• Caregivers may have to learn new skills to manage medications

• Caregivers often need to take responsibility over a senior’s financing

• Caregivers also need to make adjustments to a home for safety, and plan activities appropriate for the senior

Financial Challenges

• Caregivers may have to take on some form of financial obligation to assist the senior, since often senior’s with health limitations have used a lot of their funds paying for medical costs

• Sometimes caregivers, like their senior, may use a great deal of their savings and financial resources to fund healthcare or other costs related to senior care

Emotional Challenges

• Caregivers may find it difficult to deal with the physical and mental changes that come with a health decline of their beloved family member

• Family caregivers can feel conflicting emotions ranging from affection, frustration, anger, sadness and guilt

• It can also be a big emotional challenge to try and convince a family member to take caregiving help; or deal with the emotions that come with having someone rely on you fully.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.