- Columns - Current and Archives
- Looking Back by Jack Lebo - February 2012 >
- Murphy's Law - July 2013>
- Murphy's Law - May 2013
- Murphy's Law - April 2013
- Murphy's Law - March 2013
- Murphy's Law - February 2013
- Murphy's Law - January 2013
- Murphy's Law - December 2012
- Murphy's Law - November 2012
- Murphy's Law - October 2012
- Murphy's Law - September 2012
- Murphy's Law - August 2012
- Murphy's Law - July 2012
- Murphy's Law - June 2012
- Murphy's Law - May 2012
- Murphy's Law - April 2012
- Murphy's Law - March 2012
- Murphy's Law - February 2012
- Murphy's Law - January 2012
- Murphy's Law - December 2011
- Murphy's Law - November 2011
- Murphy's Law - October 2011
- Murphy's Law - September 2011
- Murphy's Law - August 2011
- Murphy's Law - July 2011
- Murphy's Law - June 2011
- Murphy's Law - May 2011
- Your Money Matters by Thomas Sottile - February 2013>
- Taking Care by Lisa Petsche - May 2013>
- Taking Care - April 2013
- Taking Care - March 2013
- Taking Care - February 2013
- Taking Care - January 2013
- Taking Care - December 2012
- Taking Care - November 2012
- Taking Care - October 2012
- Taking Care - September 2012
- Taking Care - August 2012
- Taking Care - July 2012
- Taking Care - June 2012
- Taking Care - May 2012
- Travel Articles
- There's Much To Like About Tybee Island, Georgia
- PA’s Little Town Of Bethlehem Has Giant History, Pleasant Surprises
- Savannah Style: History, Food, Architecture And Even Ghosts
- Vacationing Beats Back Winter
- Visiting The Inn At Pocono Manor
- Delights of Northern Ireland
- Tuscana Resort near Orlando
- Belfast To Commemorate Titanic
- Protect Your Home While Vacationing
- Nearby Hampton Roads, Virginia
- New 'Heritage' Travel Division Formed
- Lifestyle Articles
- PAE-300 ‘Personal Audio Enhancer’ Brings New Sounds And Clarity To Television
- Seniors Desire To Stay In Home Has Led To Innovative Housing
- ‘Pleasantly Plump’ May Not Pose Serious Health Problems After All
- Spring Hills Brings Home Care, Assisted Living to S. Jersey
- Sense Of Family Obligation Remains Strong
- Becoming Bilingual Thought To Delay Onset Of Cognitive Impairment
- Comprehensive Study Provides Foundation For ‘New American Diet’
- Is Alzheimer's A Myth?
- Living Alone, Without Loneliness
- Chocolate In Moderation
- Expert: Forgiveness, Gratitude Are Essential For Healthy Aging
- Expert: No Limit To Length Of Life
- Media-Based Pennsylvania Veterans Museum Is Historic Treasure
- Joint Task: Take Action To Combat Knee Pain
- Want Better Performance From Portfolio? Watch Congress
- Conscientiousness Key To Longevity
- Men, Women 'Retire' Differently
- Sleep Problems And Cognitive Issues
- Newsworthy
- Binge Drinking Is A National Problem — Even With Senior Citizens
- Study Warns Of High Cardiovascular Disease Risks Of Eating Yolks
- Study: 'Old' People Smell Better
- Depression, Anxiety Are Key Factors In Impact Of Parkinson’s Disease
- Study: Don’t Worry, Be Happy For Better Cardiovascular Health
- ‘Chore Connection’ Provides Unique Services, Volunteer Opportunities
- Study Reinforces Benefits Of Regular Colonoscopies
- Study: 'Senior Moments' Begin Earlier
- Three New Studies Suggest Aspirin May Prevent Some Cancers
- No Sure Bet: Seniors Must Recognize Potential Gambling Problems
- Coping With Grief
- New Recommendation Creates Debate Over Prostate Screening
- High Salt, Low Potassium Diet Linked To Increased Death Risk
- Medical Director At HCR ManorCare Receives APPLE Award
- RomneyCare Awful Lot Like Obamacare
- Grandkids Safer With Gram/Pop At Wheel
- AARP: Recession Hits Seniors Hard
- Antidepressants Can Increase Danger of Falling
- Poll: Low Marks For U.S. Healthcare
- More Good News For Coffee Drinkers
- Book Reviews
- We The People
- The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
- The Love Of My Youth
- The American Way Of Eating
- ‘Rin Tin Tin’
- Pity The Billionaire
- Classic: Uncle Tom's Cabin
- A Stocking Full Of New Christmas Novels
- When China Rules The World
- The Submission - Amy Waldman
- My Soul's Been Psychedelicized
- Reckless Endangerment
- O'Nan's 'Emily Alone'
- Baseball In The Garden Of Eden
- Leisure / Entertainment
- Music - Donald Fagen's 'Eminent Hipster,' Jimi Hendrix Release
- Music - Two CD-Set Features Elvis In Hawaii; Eric Burdon Has New Release
- Music - Billy Joel's 'Love Songs' Set For Release
- Music - Paul Anka Shows Off His Versatility With Compilation CD Of ‘Duets’
- Music - Elvis, Otis Redding Fans Treated To Compilation Sets
- Music - Even At Age 80, Willie Nelson Flaunts Staying Power With Duets Album
- Music - New 63-CD Set Spans Much Of Johnny Cash's Career
- Music - Preservation Jazz Hall Band Celebrates Anniversary
- Music - New Releases Spotlight Garfunkel, Los Lobos
- Music - Television Pioneer Ernie Kovacs Featured In Two New DVD Releases
- Music - Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Album Celebrated With Anniversary Release
- Music - New Releases of Hathaway, Heart Music
- Music - Willie Nelson Still Producing New Music
- Music - New Release of Elvis' Work
- Music - 'The Sound Of Philadelphia'
- Music - Dave Brubeck, Hank Williams Reissues
- Music - Janis Joplin Showcased On 2 New CD Releases
- Music - Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix Reissues
- Legal Articles
- Adult Children May Be Left To Pay Nursing Home Costs Of Indigent Parents
- Make A Resolution That Provides Long-Term Security
- Dialogue Helps Control And Direct Legal, Financial & Medical Matters
- Life Changes Can Require Revisions, Updates To Estate Plan
- Wills Create Solid Foundation For Effective Estate Planning
- Keep Or Shred? Know What To Do With Personal, Financial Records
- Recent Court Ruling Makes It ‘Open Season’ On Adult Children In PA
- Assuring For Care Of Your Pet
- Reader Resources
- Links To Government and Social Services
- Senior Discounts / bradsdeals.com
- For Advertisers / 2013
- To Subscribe
- Contact Us
- Submitting Letters To The Editor
Taking Care by Lisa Petsche
Caregivers Need To Protect Themselves From Stress, Depression
Lisa Petsche
Family members and friends provide practical assistance and enhance the quality of life for chronically ill seniors who might otherwise require residential long-term care. Typically, these caregivers are spouses or adult children, many older adults themselves.
The help they provide ranges from chauffeuring, shopping, running errands and paying bills to property maintenance, housekeeping, preparing meals, managing medication and assisting with personal care and mobility.
Other typical caregiver responsibilities include coordinating care and advocating for the ill person’s needs. If the care receiver is cognitively impaired, they may also provide supervision to ensure safety. In addition, caregivers provide companionship and emotional support.
Although it has its rewards, the caregiving role can be physically, psychologically, emotionally and financially demanding. It is particularly challenging when it continues over a long period of time, and when the care receiver has complex needs, a demanding personality or mental impairment.
While a certain degree of stress is inevitable, when left unchecked it can lead to the caregiver becoming physically, mentally and emotionally run down. Depression may result.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, “a conservative estimate reports that 20 percent of family caregivers suffer from depression, twice the rate of the general population” (“Caregiver Depression: A Silent Health Crisis”). The rate is even higher for those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia.
If you are a caregiver, consider the following strategies for keeping stress manageable and reducing your risk of depression.
Accept the reality of your relative’s illness so you can appropriately plan for the future.
Learn as much as possible about the illness and its management, and educate family and friends to help them understand.
Keep positive. Focus on what your relative can rather than can’t do and on your strengths and successes as a caregiver.
Do things that bring inner peace, such as meditating, praying, reading, writing in a journal or listening to music.
Create a relaxation room or corner in your home — a tranquil spot you can retreat to in order to rejuvenate. Develop a calming ritual to help you unwind at the end of the day.
Make a conscious effort to look after your health: eat nutritious meals, get adequate rest, exercise and see your primary physician regularly.
Stay connected to people whose company you enjoy.
Simplify your life. Set priorities and don’t waste time or energy on unimportant things. If finances permit, hire a housecleaning service or a personal support worker or companion for your relative, to free up some of your time and energy.
Be flexible about plans and expectations. Take things one day at a time.
Give yourself permission to feel all of the emotions that surface, including resentment and frustration, which are normal. Remind yourself that you are doing your best and are only human.
Don’t keep problems to yourself — seek support from a relative, friend, clergy member or counselor. Join a caregiver support group in your community or on the Internet.
Accept offers of help. Ask other family members to share the load and be specific about what you need.
Get information about community support services and take full advantage of them. Information can be obtained from your local office on aging.
*
Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker who has professional and personal experience with elder care. She is also a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues.
The help they provide ranges from chauffeuring, shopping, running errands and paying bills to property maintenance, housekeeping, preparing meals, managing medication and assisting with personal care and mobility.
Other typical caregiver responsibilities include coordinating care and advocating for the ill person’s needs. If the care receiver is cognitively impaired, they may also provide supervision to ensure safety. In addition, caregivers provide companionship and emotional support.
Although it has its rewards, the caregiving role can be physically, psychologically, emotionally and financially demanding. It is particularly challenging when it continues over a long period of time, and when the care receiver has complex needs, a demanding personality or mental impairment.
While a certain degree of stress is inevitable, when left unchecked it can lead to the caregiver becoming physically, mentally and emotionally run down. Depression may result.
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, “a conservative estimate reports that 20 percent of family caregivers suffer from depression, twice the rate of the general population” (“Caregiver Depression: A Silent Health Crisis”). The rate is even higher for those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or some other type of dementia.
If you are a caregiver, consider the following strategies for keeping stress manageable and reducing your risk of depression.
Accept the reality of your relative’s illness so you can appropriately plan for the future.
Learn as much as possible about the illness and its management, and educate family and friends to help them understand.
Keep positive. Focus on what your relative can rather than can’t do and on your strengths and successes as a caregiver.
Do things that bring inner peace, such as meditating, praying, reading, writing in a journal or listening to music.
Create a relaxation room or corner in your home — a tranquil spot you can retreat to in order to rejuvenate. Develop a calming ritual to help you unwind at the end of the day.
Make a conscious effort to look after your health: eat nutritious meals, get adequate rest, exercise and see your primary physician regularly.
Stay connected to people whose company you enjoy.
Simplify your life. Set priorities and don’t waste time or energy on unimportant things. If finances permit, hire a housecleaning service or a personal support worker or companion for your relative, to free up some of your time and energy.
Be flexible about plans and expectations. Take things one day at a time.
Give yourself permission to feel all of the emotions that surface, including resentment and frustration, which are normal. Remind yourself that you are doing your best and are only human.
Don’t keep problems to yourself — seek support from a relative, friend, clergy member or counselor. Join a caregiver support group in your community or on the Internet.
Accept offers of help. Ask other family members to share the load and be specific about what you need.
Get information about community support services and take full advantage of them. Information can be obtained from your local office on aging.
*
Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker who has professional and personal experience with elder care. She is also a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues.