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Social Support Systems and Family Caregiving A Modern Approach to Elder Care
Social Support Systems and Family Caregiving
As a family caregiver you have embarked upon the roller coaster ride of your life. Whether you get off the ride shaken and bruised or ready to go again, is in part, a function of the social support strategies you utilize along the way.
Caregivers belong to a very special group. Most have not asked for the responsibility but they have accepted it. In doing so, they have embarked on a journey that can be joyous or fraught with mental, physical, financial and social consequences. These individuals may not even identify themselves as caregivers. However, they deserve care, support and appreciation.
One thing is certain; with 1 in 4 families responsible for the caring of a chronically ill or aging family member and the length of time for caregiving increasing, a new approach is critical for caregivers to survive the process with spirit, health and family intact.
As you have discovered, a caregiver is asked to accomplish what takes a team of doctors, three shifts of nurses, kitchen staff, pharmacy, lab, janitorial staff, procurement team, accountant, chauffer service, medical advocate and counselor, to accomplish.
If the caregiver has other responsibilities such as career, children and spouse it becomes possible only for those with “super-powers.”
a roller coaster ride!
More than one third of all caregivers suffer from poor health themselves including:
- high blood pressure
- increased risk of hypertension
- double the risk for heart disease
- poor immune function,
- slower wound healing
- increase in mortality
The average caregiver also spends $ 5500 annually in support of the care recipient which adds to family/caregiver stress.
Share the Care
In this new approach to caregiving, families, loved ones, and friends come together and Share the Care. Just as each individual has a different relationship with the parent or loved one, each person has special skills and strengths that can be a valuable part of the caregiving process.
Each sibling, family member, or friend has a different relationship with and geographical proximity to the care recipient. So each caregiver will have differing viewpoints to share with co-caregivers about their loved one and how that person is coping with their aging issues.
The sharing of these different views may also allow the family to have a better picture of the health and well being of their care recipient.
All caregiving tasks do not require close proximity to the care recipient. Even individuals in far flung locations can play strategic roles gathering information, identifying services and programs, dealing with financial issues, handling communication, organization, planning and other crucial tasks.
As overwhelming as it seems you aren’t the first person to face these issues and tasks. CareGiverHelper has developed a comprehensive set of tools to guide you through the process that were developed by family caregivers – for family caregivers to meet real daily caregiving needs. The variety and number of duties to be addressed allows all care-givers an opportunity to play to their strengths and capabilities by tackling those specific tasks that they are suited for because of skill, desire or proximity.
By sharing in the caregiving responsibility of their loved one it reduces pressure on all of the caregivers and improves the health and well being of both the caregivers and care recipient.
Current technology available through CareGiverHelper utilizing computers, email and the Internet provides a full palette of resources to make the organization and sharing of family caregiving tasks easier.
Never underestimate the importance of maintaining the care recipient’s circle of friends and social contacts including church and club members as a part of the social support network. These friends can lend important support to the caregiving process.
They can spend time with the care recipient, provide comfort and support at a difficult time, run errands if you always have a “to do” list handy or free-up the caregiver for other tasks or much needed respite time.
In addition to sharing the care among friends and relatives, it is also important for the primary caregiver to have and maintain a social network beyond the family or caregiving circle.
Respite Time
Let’s face it, families are imperfect. Relationships between parents and children, even adult children, can be fraught with emotional baggage. In some instances caregivers may find themselves caring for a family member with whom they have always had a difficult relationship.
are imperfect
Having a social network provides a buffer from the day to day, sometimes minute by minute challenges and stresses of caregiving which are difficult under the best of circumstances.
In cases of volatile family dynamics it is even more critical for the primary caregiver to establish and maintain a variety of social networks as a means of coping with the high stresses associated with caregiving.
This social network can be used for airing problems and concerns, looking for answers to perplexing problems, venting anger, frustration, fears or simply forgetting about caregiving responsibilities for a time by relaxing and having fun.
Whether this is accomplished through a family caregiver support group, a cooking class, a bridge club, or trip to the gym it is important for the primary caregiver(s) to take time for themselves.
Sharing the care also often represents the final opportunity for family and friends to come together and give back to their loved ones in ways that nurture, heal and create warm shared experiences and bonds.
Start sharing the care today and improve the quality of life for your family by establishing a CareGiverHelper family community.
Are You a Family Caregiver?
Caregivers belong to a very special group. Most have not asked for the responsibility but they have accepted it. In doing so, they have embarked on a journey that can be joyous or fraught with mental, physical and social consequences. These individuals may not even identify themselves as caregivers and they deserve care and support.
- Do you live with a frail elderly person or someone with a chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s?
- Does your family have someone with a chronic illness such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or someone who is frail elderly?
- Is there someone you assist with daily living tasks such as feeding, bathing, toileting and prescription management?
- Is there someone (outside your home) you assist (4 or more times monthly) with shopping, laundry, cleaning, cooking, trips to doctor, or pharmacy?
- Is there someone (outside your home) you assist with bill paying or financial matters; home repair and/or maintenance?
- Do you provide time off for a caregiver 4 or more times monthly?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you are a family caregiver and may be in need of resources and tools to assist you through the process.
CareGiverHelper has a web based service that improves task organization and communication to assist with coordinating daily tasks, emergencies and long term planning.
co-authored by: Robert M. Zakon
CareGiverHelper, Inc.
CareGiverHelper is an internet healthcare marketing and communications company that assists organizations build brand awareness, client loyalty and new client acquisition, through an online community for family caregivers. This web based service improves task organization and communication between family caregivers in order to assist in facilitating daily activities, emergency response and longer term planning processes. It also includes discussion and support groups that are facilitated by resource communities that each focus on a specific health related topic. The service is free of charge for non-paid caregivers and their families.
www.CareGiverHelper.com