Busy, sometimes overwhelmed family caregivers are often called the “invisible victims” or the “second victims” of Alzheimer’s disease. However, this description can also apply to any family caregiver whose days are consumed with caring for a loved one and whose labor of love places them at risk of caregiver burnout.
Recent researchby the US Department of Health & Human Services projects that most seniors age 65 or older will need long-term care at some point in their lives. As noted by the long-term care experts at the Mayo Clinic®, “If
We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village,” with regard to raising children. Similarly, it could be said that “it takes a family” to care for an aging parent.
“As an adult child, having siblings can be a blessing when it comes to caring for a parent who needs ongoing care,” says Susan Irrgang, RN, LNHA, Executive Director at Saunders House in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
None of us has a crystal ball. Illness, injury or disability can occur at any time during our retirement years. Healthcare, legal and financial authorities agree that planning for the long-term care needs of yourself, or an older loved one, is extremely important.
Today, respite care offers busy and often overstressed family caregivers the opportunity to relax, decompress and re-energize while their loved ones receive professional care. Respite care also provides an ideal caregiving solution for loved ones when caregivers need to be away for business or vacation.
