Posted on August 16, 2012 - by Nurse Virginia
Contrary to what many people think, most elderly people in the U.S. are being taken care of by a family member. When an elder has a diagnosis of Alzheimer?s disease the family usually provides about 80% of the care.
Problems resulting from this family commitment include:
- A large financial burden, maybe due to the loss of income for the direct caregiver, or the cost of bringing a caregiver into the home.
- The stress of now caring for a parent who was used to making the rules and providing care for the child.
- Stress between siblings if the direct caregiver feels they are doing too much and others should do more.
- Possible signs of exhaustion on the part of the direct caregiver.
- Feelings of neglect on the part of other family members and possible anger or resentment at the situation.
- Loss of sleep and privacy for the caregiver.
- Feelings of guilt if you are not the direct hands-on caregiver.
- Family friction over personal decisions and financial decisions.
Many times it is due to the collapse of the direct caregiver which brings the elder to a nursing community. An overly critical family member may just be a person who is feeling very guilty about their parents care and Nursing home placement. . Maintaining strong healthy family relationships is equally as important as the elder?s quality of care.
Families will go to extremes taking care of their loved ones. Nursing home placement is never the first choice. It continues to be thought of as the last resort for taking care of Mom or Dad.
Virginia Garberding R.N.
Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois
Author: Please Get To Know Me ? Aging with Dignity and Relevance
www.pleasegettoknowme.com
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