Caregivers Need Care, Too!

The term “caregiver” has many definitions. Sometimes, it is defined as a person who cares for someone who is sick or disabled. Other times, it is defined as an individual who attends to the needs of a child or dependent adult. But to those who serve as caregivers to a family member or friend, the role is not so easily defined.

To say that people who serve as a caregiver to a family member or friend play a very important role in the lives of their loved one is an understatement. In many situations, the help of a spouse, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend is one of the only things keeping their loved one living comfortably in their home instead of a nursing home or other facility.

According to a 2009 ‘Caregiving in the U.S.’ study done by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, there are an estimated 44.4 million caregivers in America aged 18 or older who provide care to an adult aged 18 or older. Of those, 83 percent are helping to care for relatives. Almost seven in ten caregivers report that they help care for one person, and one in five say they provide more than 40 hours of care a week. One in four caregivers say that the person they care for lives with them in their home. For those caregivers who do not live with the person they care for, almost three-quarters say they visit with their care recipient at least once a week.

The Caregiving in the U.S. study also reports that, as one might expect, most caregivers fulfill multiple roles. Sixty-two percent of caregivers are married or living with a partner. Almost 60 percent of those caregivers have juggled a job and caregiving responsibilities at the same time.

Those statistics aside, many of us have served as caregivers or have experienced first-hand the stress that goes along with caring for a loved one. The stress and worry of caregiving can have a significant impact on the health of the caregiver. It becomes quite easy for many caregivers to be so focused on attending to the needs of their loved one that they begin to overlook the importance of caring for themselves. According to another study done in 2006, nearly three quarters of caregivers report not going to the doctor as often as they should and over half say they skip doctor appointments for themselves. Over 60 percent of caregivers admit to having poor eating habits and 58 percent say their exercise habits are worse than before they undertook caregiving responsibilities.

For caregivers in south western York County and Adams County who feel as though they can’t care for themselves properly in addition to caring for a loved one, there is help. VNA Home Care Plus staff can assist both the caregiver and the person they care for by providing help with respite care, laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing assistance, transportation to appointments, and more.  Services are available from one to 24 hours a day, depending on the need. Whether a caregiver needs a break of an hour or an afternoon, call VNA Home Care Plus at 717-637-1227 to see how we can assist both the caregiver and their loved one.

Linda M. Baile, President & CEO
VNA of Hanover & Spring Grove