Posted by Mary on January 17, 2010
Caregiving is still mostly a woman’s job and many women are putting their career and financial futures on hold as they juggle part-time caregiving and full-time job requirements. This is the reality reported in Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, the most comprehensive examination to date of caregiving in America. The first national profile of caregivers, Family Caregiving in the U.S. was published in 1997, and an updated version of the study, Caregiving in the U.S., was reported in 2004.
The sweeping 2009 study of the legions of people caring for younger adults, older adults, and children with special needs reveals that 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregivers, including 31 percent of all households. These caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week. The 2009 reports also begin to trend the findings from all three waves of the study.
Key findings include:
- While caregivers and care recipients continue to be predominately female (66%), they are approximately three years older now than their counterparts were five years ago. Among caregivers age 18 and older, the average age of today’s caregiver is 49, and the average age of today’s care recipient is 69.
- Caregiving lasts an average of 4.6 years (including caregivers of children).
- Although there has been a decrease in the number of hours of care provided in an average week, a higher proportion of caregivers report helping their care recipient get into and out of beds and chairs, assisting with housework, and preparing meals. There is also an increase in the proportion of caregivers who say they need help or information.
- Caregivers say they have increased their use of supportive services, such as outside transportation services and respite services or sitters.
- Approximately three-fourths of caregivers work while caregiving. While this has remained consistent since 2004, there has been an increase in the proportion who say they have had to make a workplace accommodation because of caregiving.
- Although most caregivers say they experience little physical strain, emotional stress, or financial hardship as a result of being a caregiver, there are indications that caregiving is becoming more emotionally stressful for some and that some are experiencing more financial hardship fulfilling this role than five years ago.
An estimated 65.7 million Americans (29 percent of the U.S. adult population) are caregivers, providing unpaid care to a family member or friend for an average of 20 hours per week. This 2009 study provides updates and trends to surveys conducted in 1997 and 2004.
Article By: National Alliance for Caregiving in Collaboration with AARP; Funded by The MetLife Foundation | December 2009.
“I find it fasinating that many of us are Caregivers but we rarely identify ourselves as caregivers, as I read this article I found it hit the nail on the head and thus wanted to share with my audience of clients and friends. This information helps me realize why the work I do is so important. As I heal from my surgery this is my turn to be the person who needs care, I’m thankful I have loved ones available to provide the needed support but I realize not everyone is as lucky as I am.”
Mary
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
Posted by Mary on January 13, 2010
2009 was a busy year and like you I’ve had both celebrations and painful losses to acknowledge but all in all I am grateful. I am blessed and I wish the same for you. This year I want to focus on a theme that one of my friends reminded me of and that is that I offer “peace of mind” to adult children and their aging parents. If you know of anyone who needs a helping hand with their senior family member I would love the opportunity to assist with medical care management, holistic healing & relaxation or end of life coordination.
Wishing you all a very happy and successful new year!
Mary
I’m very pleased to announce that Mary Chapa, RN, President of Eliza One, Inc. has fulfilled the requirements and added to her qualifications the title of CSA, Certified Senior Advisor. “I wanted to add another layer of expertise but I also liked the level of accountability, Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility required when working with Seniors.” The society believes working with seniors requires both competance as well as a higher ethical standard and integrity.
Based on the demographics of our target client population 10,000 Americans turn 60 each day. This is one of the most profound demographic developments we have ever seen. The fastest-growing age group in the U.S. today is 85 and older based on 2004 census data.
For additional information on the Society and why it’s important to work with professionals that have this certification please follow this link: http://www.society-csa.com/default.aspx
Celebrating Caregivers and Families: Contributing Author Mary Chapa Announces the Release of “Priceless Caregiving: Stories of Elder Care Success, Courage and Strength”
Mary Chapa RN, President, author and elder care expert announces the release of the new book “Priceless Caregiving: Stories of Elder Care Success, Courage and Strength.” Mary is a contributing author in one of the most uplifting books to be written all year. Now released in paperback, Priceless Caregiving can be ordered through Amazon.com or by contacting her office locally.
Minneapolis Women’s ExpoJanuary 29 – 31, 2010 held at the Mpls. Convention Center http://www.mplswomensexpo.com/mpls/
Since I will be recovering from surgery I will not personally be at the event however my friend Rebecca Janke will have my book Priceless Caregiving available for sale at her booth Growing Communities for Peace. In addition I am sending bags from Women Heart that will include information on Women and Heart Disease, many of you know I lost my sister last spring unexpectedly from Cardiac Arrest and I want to honor her memory by sharing information with other women. http://www.womenheart.org/
I also want to announce that February 5th is National Wear Red Day, Heart disease is the No. 1 Killer of women..
GO RED FOR WOMEN and for my sister Faye, RED was her favorite color!
“No medicine is more valuable, none more efficacious, none better suited to the cure of all our temporal ills than a friend to whom we may turn for consolation in time of trouble, and with whom we may share our happiness in time of joy.” Saint Alfred of Rievaulx
A special thank you to all my family and friends who have sent their healing energy to me in person or through notes, calls, gifts or prayers during my healing – I love you all!
Mary
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
Posted by Mary on October 20, 2009
Whenever I visit with my senior friend I learn something new. Recently we were discussing getting refills on medications and as we were talking I realized how something so simple becomes so challenging for seniors. Does your pharmacy use automated voice prompts? Is your family member hard of hearing, do they use a hearing aid? These hurtles can be so challenging it can prevent your loved one from getting their prescriptions filled.
I know my own family members would rather drive to the pharmacy to drop off their empty prescription bottles and ask the pharmacist questions in person. But what if your family member is no longer driving? I find many seniors don’t want to be a burden to their family and friends so they may not ask for your help, you will need to take time to listen and anticipate their needs – offer to help them run errands.
The challenge of getting medications refilled impacts the health of your senior loved one. So what about mail order, that seems like a perfect answer to the problem and it might be but keep in mind the usual amount of pills sent will be a 90 day supply. My father was grateful to be on a mail order refill plan through the Veteran’s Hospital but as his medications would change he would have large amounts of excess pills, ointments, creams or dressings and unfortunately we could not send them back.
When I sit with clients and review their ability to manage their medications at home I listen carefully and I always learn something. Next time you’re with your senior parent review the pharmacy labels, are the expiration dates current, when was the last time they were filled, is the medication still medically necessary and does it work or are the side effects bothersome? To make sure the medications are set up correctly and that they are taken regularly you might consider using some of the weekly medication containers or reminders. Use your pharmacist as a resource; you might be surprised what you learn?
If you would like help in supporting your aging parent or senior family member please feel free to call me for assistance.
Mary
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
Posted by Mary on September 15, 2009
Are you planning to take a trip with a senior family member? I had the opportunity to take a client to a local Travel Clinic with some mixed results. Our provider was very thorough but as I looked at my friend who is 79 years old I wondered if all the detailed information about potential diseases you “might” get were overwhelming to listen to in one sitting. When we were walking out of the clinic she said she couldn’t take in all the information and it gave her a stomach ache just thinking about it. The staff handed her a folder with several printed pages on what to watch for during her trip and I have to say it was as thick as a small suburban phone book. The intention is to assist members so they have a safe and enjoyable trip but I have to believe that there’s a better way to do this information dump.
My friend said “I’m so glad you were with me, I wouldn’t be able to remember everything, you’re a gift.” What an honor to hear those words and to reassure her that I would review my notes from the staff recommendations as well as read all the material they gave her and create a short summary. I say I’m honored because I’ve always enjoyed my relationship with seniors. When I graduated from nursing school many years ago I was hired at a local nursing home and I found it suited me, later I worked in the home care & hospice industry. I think the reason I always liked working with seniors is because my grand parents died before I was born so I envied my classmates stories about their relationship with grandparents.
I’ve been doing research to help my friend prepare for her trip to Mexico later this year to see her grand daughter get married, she is traveling with family but we want her to be safe and have a fabulous time. As I review the tips and tricks for traveling with seniors I plan to summarize and share what I learn with my blogging audience in my September newsletter so watch for the next E-Newsletter later this month!
Tomorrow is Wednesday, September 16th and it’s the one year anniversary of my father’s death, he had a great life but I miss him very much. My friend Joe sent my sisters and I a note and he reminded us today that last year there were four sisters to support each other and now there is one brother and only three sisters left; we lost our sister Faye (Susie) unexpectedly this spring. So if your parents are still alive and well; hug them, take them out for a while and have a nice visit, you’re really not that busy and do it whether you feel like it or not.
Still missing you Dad, Mom and Susie!
Love,
Mary
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
Posted by Mary on September 8, 2009
Dad
Are you up to date on your aging parent’s medical history, what about their medications? Do you know if they are taking their medications on time, the right dose, are the pills expired or should some be discontinued? Perhaps they need assistance and doing the medication set up for them on a weekly basis is one of the best ways to gently start monitoring their health needs, it’s a great touch point for noticing changes that you just can’t put off anymore. We set up my Dad’s pills using a medication container for the week, he liked being able to pull out the daily section and just putting it in his pocket if he was going out for the day.
One of the simple things my Dad asked us to do was create a current list of all his medications so when the nurse asked him what medications he took he would pull out his list which he kept in his wallet. This allowed Dad to maintain his dignity and it was so much better than having him be embarrassed because he couldn’t remember the names of his medications. My Dad would also record his Blood Sugar (for his Diabetes) and his weight due to his CHF (congestive heart failure) into a small spiral notebook that he kept in his shirt breast pocket so he could show his doctor the results for the week or month. I kept all his information in a word document; Dad’s doctors, clinics, medical history, medications and his recent vital signs so it was helpful when my sisters called me with a concern or if I had to call the clinic with a question about his care needs.
This month is the one year anniversary of Dad’s passing and on Sunday I was reminded of how much I miss our time together at Sunday Breakfast. Every Sunday my husband and I would drive to St. Paul to pick up Dad and then drive to one of his favorite restaurants, usually Perkin’s or Joseph’s Restaurant where he knew the waitresses by name. We would buy the Sunday Pioneer Press for Dad because he loved to keep up on local news and he would organize all the sale ad’s for my sister Lisa when he got home and settled in for the day. Sundays were a good time to catch up and he would tell me about his friends and if he had any new appointments at the Veteran’s Medical Center that I needed to attend. Dad was clear about his body and his care but he was also aware of when he needed help; Dad let us be his advocates for health and financial issues because he knew it was hard to “remember” every little detail and he knew he could depend on his daughters.
Perhaps this is a good time to talk to your aging parent about a “little” assistance with their health needs and if you should need a little assistance to get this started then give me a call, I look forward to helping you and your parents. Like a daughter, sister, friend… easing life transitions.
Remembering you with Love Dad!
Mary Elizabeth
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
Posted by Mary on August 24, 2009
As I read the email from my dear friend in Canada I wish I was there in person to support her as I tell her we’ve all had experience with helping our parents through illness, transition and even endings. I tell her it doesn’t matter that we are nurses or that we have experience in healthcare or working with elders because this is about our “heart.” We are at that point in our lives where we are concerned about our parent’s health, their ability to recover from illness or the fact that they need different living arrangements. It doesn’t necessarily happen all at once, it may happen gradually and all of a sudden you worry about leaving them alone, question their driving ability, their medications and whether they are taking them correctly and what did the doctor really tell them on the last visit. We wonder if and when we should inject ourselves into their lives and wrestle with the desire to respect their freedom and concern for their safety as well as the safety of others.
I know everything will all work out as well as can be expected because I have every confidence in my friend’s heart skills as a daughter and certainly her intellect and experience no matter what the health care system or family throws at her. I was reflecting this week that in reality my Dad and my Mother had their own small home care & hospice agency, they had 4 daughters that lived nearby and we all had the same shared goal to take care of my parents at home as long as we were able. I think what helped my family and I came up with the following:
· We agreed on the goal or outcome to care for our parents at home for as long as possible
· We agreed on a leader; in my family I was the oldest and a nurse with background in elder care so I had that roll
· We were all willing to do our part, I used to think this was normal but I now realize it sadly is not.
Families don’t have to be perfect but you need some semblance of agreement and shared goals to care for parents and loved ones. I was lucky to have family, some of you are alone and that means leaning into elder care resources, you may not be able to do it all alone.
To my friend Joanne and to all of you caring for parents or loved ones I wish for you a good night’s rest, good nutrition, quiet time to pray or meditate, a little exercise and the ability to let go and allow others to step in or take care of you or take over. Sometimes it’s OK to let go of outcome and just know we’ve done our best.
I love you my friend, you are in my thoughts.
Mary
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
Posted by Mary on July 27, 2009
Working in health care gave me a slight advantage when coordinating my Dad’s medical care last summer and as I roll out my first newsletter I’m focused on the main question, do you need occasional support with an aging parent or family member? Eliza One will provide occasional or routine support for you while you balance a busy schedule, Eliza One provides a trilogy of services:
-
Private medical care coordination, nursing communication and documentation for physician office visits, medication assessment and determination of additional needs or services to maintain independence.
-
Holistic healing using Reiki, Healing Touch, essential oils and additional complementary approaches to medicine as desired for relaxation.
-
End of Life steward; contributing aid between hospice care and the funeral home; managing the communication, documentation and coordination of tasks that define the personal, financial or legal affairs of your loved one.
l listen to my friends share their stories of aging parents: juggling clinic appointments, follow up on personal needs or placement in senior living accommodations and the eventual transition through end of life. I marvel at how we do this while balancing our careers our businesses and meeting other family needs. I can help, if you know of anyone who needs a helping hand I’d be delighted to talk to them.
These past few months I’ve had an opportunity to crystallize my vision and purpose for Eliza One, Inc. As I launch my first newsletter I am grateful for the experiences and the gifts I have to offer to those who need a daughter for an hour or a day to help them through transition. I look forward to meeting new friends and sharing life experiences, stay in touch as I share more stories, tips and tidbits. 
In memory of my father David,
Mary
Subscribe to blog posts by Email
