The Reality of Caregiving

National Caregivers Day on February 21st offers us an important opportunity to reflect on the immense contributions caregivers make to families and communities every day. As we honor their dedication, it's crucial to also recognize the hidden struggles they face. Caregiving is often a labor of love, but it can also be physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. The statistics surrounding caregiving tell a story of sacrifice, but also of resilience.

According to Caregiver Action Network (caregiver.org), more than 65 million people, 29% of the US population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one.  

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, approximately 23% of caregivers say their own health has worsened due to their caregiving responsibilities.  

When you do the math, that's around 1.5 million Americans whose own health is adversely affected from their caregiving services.  

Caregivers also often report having conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, reduced sleep and most report feeling worn out and overwhelmed at times.  

So what do we do?  For most people, family caregiving is a labor of love, but we want to share some tips on ways you can reduce your own stress and improve your own health.

According to the Caregiver Action Network (link to article here: 10 Tips for Family Caregivers, here are a few things that can help!

1. Seek Support From Other Caregivers. Through online communities, support groups and friends and family, you can get emotional relief and practical tips for managing challenges.
2. Take Care of your Own Health. Maintaining your own health is crucial for being able to take care of someone else.  Focus on nutrition, exercise, and get sufficient rest.
3. Accept Offers of Help. Delegate responsibilities to ease your workload and reduce your stress.
4. Communicate Effectively with Healthcare Professionals.  Clear and concise communication helps in understanding treatment plans and making informed decisions. 
5. Take Respite Breaks.  A respite break is a scheduled break from being the caregiver.  Find another friend or family member, or hire someone to help temporarily, so that you can take a much needed break.  This will prevent burnout and give you time to recharge.
6. Watch Out for Signs of Depression.  40-70% of family caregivers experience depression.  If you noticed symptoms such as persistent sadness or fatigue, seek help immediately.  
7. Be Open to New Technologies.  Explore new technologies that offer practical solutions for monitoring health, managing medications, or enhancing communication with healthcare providers. 
8. Organize Medical Information.  Keep your loved one's medical information well-organized and accessible.  Ensure that all necessary documents are up-to-date and easy to find. 
9. Ensure Legal Documents are in Order.  Make sure that all legal documents are current.  This would include things like Power of Attorney, Living Will, Last Will and Testament, and Trust Documents.
10. Give Yourself Credit.  Caregiving is demanding, so remember that you are doing the best you can.  Recognize the hard work and dedication you put into caregiving, and appreciate your positive impact on your loved one's life.  

By following these tips, you can avoid some of the negative consequences of family caregiving.  Taking care of your loved one is hard!  We support you and are inspired by the work you are doing.  

Please let us know if you are struggling with any medical supply needs.  We are experts in this area and may be able to offer solutions that will help.  

Stay safe!

Jamie Mittendorf