Caregiving

Overview   
Symptoms   
Treatment   
Products   
Resources

Caregivers today represent one-fourth of all American households who are providing care to a family member or loved one. They are family caregivers, which means they are family members, neighbors or friends who are providing unpaid care on a regular basis to someone they love.

Almost 75 percent of caregivers are women, and even when male caregivers are involved, females spend 50 percent more time caregiving. Most of these female caregivers are in their late 40’s and are caring for someone who is over 50 years old.

The primary need for caregivers is information, local healthcare resources and support. Several national caregiving associations now offer newsletters, bulletin boards and community support groups (see Resources section below). You can also contact your local United Way office, ElderCare Locator or your state’s department on aging.

Caregivers often forget that while they are focused on the quality of daily life for their loved ones, they often neglect their own health and well-being. Aside from physical stress, the psychological affects of caregiving can become overwhelming. Caregivers must work to remain healthy themselves in order to continue providing the best quality of care for those whom they love.

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NFCA's 10 Tips for Family Caregivers

The National Family Caregiving Association (see Resources section below), one of the first national organizations to offer support for family caregivers, offers their own survival guide:

1. Choose to take charge of your life, and don't let your loved one's illness or disability always take center stage.
2. Remember to be good to yourself. Love, honor and value yourself. You're doing a very hard job and you deserve some quality time, just for you.
3. Watch out for signs of depression, and don't delay in getting professional help when you need it.
4. When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things that they can do.
5. Educate yourself about your loved one's condition. Information is empowering.
6. There's a difference between caring and doing. Be open to technologies and ideas that promote your loved one's independence.
7. Trust your instincts. Most of the time they'll lead you in the right direction.
8. Grieve for your losses, and then allow yourself to dream new dreams.
9. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.
10. Seek support from other caregivers. There is great strength in knowing you are not alone.

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Caregiver’s Patient Diseases, Treatments and Products

Please see the specific sections on this web site for the following disease states:

• Aging
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Alzheimer’s
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Incontinence
• Mobility
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Obesity
• Ostomy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Respiratory Diseases
• Stroke

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Caregiving Resources

For the Greater New Orleans visit the Senior Resources Guide
www.seniorsresourceguide.com/neworleans

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
800 896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
www.caregiving.com

National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC)
301 718-8444
www.caregiving.org

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
415 434-3388
www.caregiver.org


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