Most of us have observed either in real life or on television two older men meeting for the first time with a bit of awkwardness. Once it is discovered that they both are veterans, an instant rapport appears. No matter how different their lives are or their backgrounds, there is a commonality between them. Someone that may stumble across these two men minutes after their initial meeting could easily assume they have been friends for years by the ease of their conversation. These men that just met could share stories and experiences that they may have not even shared with their own family members. I have never served in the military or have fought a war, but I have experienced a similar phenomenon because of my role as a caregiver.
When I would meet a fellow caregiver, an instant rapport appears. As a result, I could candidly speak of the range of emotions that I’ve experienced as a caregiver without fear of being judged. To try to have that same conversation with someone that never had to step into that role, there are too many things you have to try to explain. If you talk about your frustrations, it is interpreted as whining. Often a conversation with a non-caregiver about the rigors of being a caregiver, results in the non caregiver offering sympathies to you for a role they wonder if they are capable of fulfilling. That same conversation with a fellow caregiver, often results in laughter as you swap your ‘war stories.’
Through my own experience, I learned things about myself that at times made me feel proud and other times ashamed. I used to think that anyone could be a caregiver, it was just a matter of stepping up to the plate when needed, but I’m not so sure anymore. You do not have to be a superwoman to be a caregiver, but you do have to be willing to put portions of your own life on hold. At times I could do that cheerfully, other times with resentment. The funny thing is, I never liked the scary rides at the amusement park, and the most dreaded to me was the rollercoaster. Those few times I was coaxed into getting onto the rollercoaster, I would have to keep telling myself it would be over in a couple of minutes. Yet, here I was in the role of a full time caregiver, daily riding a rollercoaster of emotions with no way of knowing how long it would last. Some days I felt braver than others.
Fairly new caregiver here. I was considering starting my own blog (for mental health !
), plus, I needed to find a group online for support, so I googled “caregiver blogs” which lead me here. I am so glad – your post here expressed so succinctly what I have been thinking about. I’m so grateful you wrote this! I’ll be back! Thank you.
Thanks for checking in and writing. I hope your day is minimally stressful. Looking foward to hearing more from you in the future! Michele
January 20, 2012
MED-Q has been designed to ease the burden of Caregivers. The fact of the matter is more than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one. All this is done with out the help of a reliable, affordable way to ensure Medication Compliance.
Caregivers are over worked, underpaid and under appreciated. In a busy world they forget to remind others to take their medication properly. With the Med_Q Pill Box Compliance System forgetting becomes virtually impossible. The “All-in-One” electronic Pillbox Dispenser reminds you with dual alarm technology. You set the alarms for the times you choose and they will remind you with a flashing light on the individual box that needs to be taken, This is MED-Q’s patented LED-Litebox Technology. The unit has an audio alarm as well Why is there a need for MED-Q, the statistics are staggering:
• A wife’s hospitalization increased her husband’s chances of dying within a month by 35%. A husband’s hospitalization boosted his wife’s mortality risk by 44%.
Nicholas D. Christakis, Professor, Health-care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston and Suzanne Salamon, M.D., Associate Chief, Geriatric Psychiatry, Beth Israel eaconess Hospital, Boston,New England Journal of Medicine, Feb. 16, 2006
• 20 hours per week is the average number of hours family caregivers spend caring for their loved ones while 13% of family caregivers are providing 40 hours of care a week or more
Caregiving in the United States;
National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP. November 2009
• 36% of family caregivers care for a parent and 7 out of 10 caregivers are caring for loved ones over 50 years old
AARP. November 2009
• Women who are family caregivers are 2.5 times more likely than non-caregivers to live in poverty and five times more likely to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Study conducted by researchers at Rice University
and data compiled from the Health and Retirement Study
funded by the National Institute of Aging and conducted by the University of Michigan, 1992-2004
• 47% of working caregivers indicate an increase in caregiving expenses has caused them to use up ALL or MOST of their savings.
Evercare Survey of the Economic Downturn and Its Impact on Family Caregiving;
National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare. March 2009
• The average family caregiver for someone 50 years or older spends $5,531 per year on out of pocket care giving expenses in 2007 which was more than 10% of the median income for a family caregiver that year.
Valuing the Invaluable: The Economic Value of Family Caregiving, 2008 Update. AARP
• Nearly three quarters (72%) of family caregivers report not going to the doctor as often as they should and 55% say they skip doctor appointments for themselves.
Evercare Study of Caregivers in Decline: A Close-Up Look at Health Risks of Caring for a Loved One.
National Alliance for Caregiving and Evercare. 2006ie
• 20% of employed female caregivers over 50 years old report symptoms of depression.
MetLife Study of Working Caregivers and Employer Health Costs;
MetLife Mature Market Institute. February 2010\
• 40% to 70% of family caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression with approximately a quarter to half of these caregivers meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression.
Zarit, S. (2006). Assessment of Family Caregivers: A Research Perspective
• More than 1 in 10 (11%) of family caregivers report that
caregiving has caused their physical health to deteriorate.
How Do Family Caregivers Fare? A Closer Look at their Experiences. Center on Aging Society. 2005
• Family caregivers experiencing extreme stress have been shown to age prematurely. This level of stress can take as mu 10 years off a family caregiver’s life..
Elissa S as Epel, Dept of Psychiatry, Univ of Calif, SF, et al,
From the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dec 7, 2004, Vol 101, No. 49ch
• 66% have had to make some adjustments to their work life, from reporting late to work to giving up work entirely; and 1 in 5 family caregivers have had to take a leave of absence.
Caregiving in the United States;
National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with AARP. November 2009
MED-Q Pillbox Compliance System has helped people “RESOLVE TO BE HEALTHY” View at MEDQPILLBOX.com or at GETMEDQ.com
Medq pill box is the answer to your worries