In the 21st century, the demands placed on family and other informal caregivers will escalate, affecting nearly every American family. It’s everyone’s greatest fear: a parent starts to forget things…he becomes bewildered, confused, and angry…finally, he can’t take care of himself and needs full-time care. Adult children are increasingly faced with their biggest nightmare – parents who are as helpless as young children.
If you find yourself caring for an aging loved one, you are not alone! Consider the following:
- Nearly a quarter (23.9%) of U.S. households are now involved in caring for an elderly family member or relative, spending an average of 20 hours a week in caregiving-related chores.
- Some 80% of caregivers provide unpaid assistance seven days a week.
- More than 60% of all family caregivers say they have suffered from depression. (Source: National Family Caregivers Association/Fortis Long Term Care, 1998)
- Long distance caregivers miss nearly 15 million days of work each year. (Source: National Council on Aging/The Pew Charitable Trusts, 1998)
- Long-term family caregiving takes a significant toll on workers. Lost productivity, absenteeism, interruptions and replacing employees due to elder care costs American business in excess of $11.4 billion annually. (Source: National Alliance for Caregiving/Glaxo Welcome Report, 1997)
- A significant decline in the number of family caregivers is occurring in the U.S., while at the same time, the demand for elder care is increasing.
The Seniors Choice can help! There is a member of The Senior’s Choice near you who can provide:
- Qualified, caring, trained, insured, bonded, and flexible caregivers who can help you take a few hours, without feeling guilty or stressed, while you take care of yourself or other members of your family. Our caregivers can assist your elderly loved one for a few hours a week, a few hours a day, or more. Giving yourself a little bit of time away may be just what the doctor ordered and will help you to be a much better family caregiver.
- In-home assessments. Our member companies routinely perform in-home assessments that result in a customized care plan for your loved ones. You may choose to then hire them to carry out the care plan in whole or in part, or you may simply choose to use the care plan to improve your own ability to care for your loved one.
- Access to information and training for caregivers. Our members have access to (and offer) a wealth of information, training and resources for caregivers.
- Fall-prevention assessments and training. Did you see our very own Steve Everhart on the CBS Early Show being interviewed about "Avoiding Life-Threatening Falls"? One of the largest sources of injuries among seniors is falling. We can help you assess the risks that your loved one faces and provide education on how to minimize the risk of falling. Also, if you request, one of our members will even conduct a free workshop on fall prevention for your group. Visit the Fall Prevention section to learn more.
- Home safety checks. Our members have extensive experience in the multi-faceted process of ensuring that your loved one’s home is safe, which is vital to maintaining independence for as long as possible.
- Support and understanding. Our members can help you get connected with support groups and individuals in your area that can help YOU, as well as help you care for your loved one.
Just fill out the Request Form and select which of the above topic(s) you would like more information on and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.