Are You One in a Million?

Are You One in

If you’re a Caregiver, you’re one of the 1.8 million Caregivers in Alabama.

a Million?

One in four Baby Boomers (ages 57-75) are caregivers, providing regular assistance to friends or family who have a disability or health problem. The burden of caring for a loved one can be time-consuming, expensive and can cause Caregivers to become depressed and feel guilty about their decisions.

“Caring for the Caregiver” is Relatively New

Until the late 70’s, Caregivers were an unseen, unheard and unrecognized part of the healthcare team. These families and friends were caring – primarily at home - for loved ones with cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, strokes and other age-related diseases. The first national caregiving organization was founded in 1977 – the National Caregiving Alliance – to raise awareness. This was followed by a 2016 reauthorization of the Older American Act of 1965 to assist Caregivers, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act of 2018 and the National Family Caregivers Support Act in 2000. Recently, the national CARES Act (Coronavirus legislation) also includes caregiving support provisions.

I Can’t Take Care of You, If I Don’t Take Care of Me

Both the Caregivers and the cared for can experience similar emotions. As days, weeks and months continue with mounting responsibilities, Caregivers can become overwhelmed physically, emotionally, spiritually and develop significant health problems. They worry their compassion is faltering (compassion fatigue) and experience guilt (Caregiver Guilt Syndrome) they are not doing enough for their loved one. Caregiver assessments reports that 20% of family caregivers suffer from depression, twice the rate of the general population. Meanwhile, those in their charge also can experience anxiety, frustration and depression.

Options for Caregivers and Their Charges

As many Caregivers need to work or be away from home for most of

the day, AARP recommends adult daycare as a more affordable option (ranging from $50 - $70 per day) for Caregivers respite. When older loved ones are unable to structure one’s activities, feel isolated and lonely, have difficulty starting and focusing on activities and no longer seem safe on their own, adult daycare provides watchful care and socialization. An adult daycare is typically a non-residential facility that supports the health, nutritional, social and daily living needs of older adults. Caregiver support is built into the program, with counselling and other support services. Caregivers are provided daily respite to continue to live their own lives, work and take care of other family members and obligations.

Other options for Caregiving respite include home health care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The best advice is to know your healthcare plan and options: Medicare now offers long-term home and community-based services, like adult day care, in-home personal care assistance, and respite care in certain conditions; Medicaid can pay 100% of nursing home care costs if you meet eligibility requirements; and private health insurance companies typically offer some respite care assistance.

Local resources for Caregivers can be found on the Area Agency on Aging website listed under programs: Alabama Cares Caregiver Program.~

SeniorsBlueBook.com

F•F COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES