Elder Care – Caring for Older Adults

Did you know …?

According to a June 2011 report by MetLife Mature Market Institute, the percentage of age 50-plus adult children taking care of parents has tripled since 1994.

The Families and Work Institute reports that 42% of U.S. workers in the last five years have had elder care responsibilities and 49% expect to care for an older family member or friend in the next five years.

And a newly released AARP study reveals that at any given time in 2009, 42.1 million U.S. family caregivers were caring for an adult with limitations, with 61.6 million providing care at some time during the year. The estimated value of their unpaid contributions was nearly $450 billion in 2009, $75 billion more than in 2007.

Whether you’re new to the caregiving role or an experienced caregiver

taking on the role as the primary caregiver for one or both of your parents means change … for you, for your family.

• changing your lifestyle … from empty nester, single, family still at home to “sandwich generation” or “parenting” your parents.
• juggling your job responsibilities … working full-time and sometimes more to get the work done.
• handling more work-family conflicts … the unpredictability of when you may need time off or need to ask other family members for assistance.

In all of this, where do you find time for yourself? I understand the dilemmas you face trying to be your parent’s child, friend, parent, caregiver and all-around gofer. I’ve found that it helps hearing from someone who’s been there, done that and can share what has worked from their own experience.

Excerpt from “The Caregiver’s Dilemma,” by: Sally Abrahms | from: AARP Bulletin | September 1, 2011
* Healthcare Professionals Continuing Education Provider Information

• CA Bureau of Registered Nursing: Continuing Education Provider: CEP 15733
• CA Board of Behavioral Sciences: Continuing Education Provider: PCE 5010
• CA Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians: Provider No. V10716
• CA RCFE Continuing Education Vendor Number: 2000127-740-2