Tag Archives: family caregivers

Different Types of Caregivers

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on August 11, 2014 under Caregiver Corner | Read the First Comment

There are as many types of caregivers as there are types of charges. Are you a caregiver? What type are you? We’d love to hear from you – let us know in the comments! Here are three main categories:

Family:
Family caregiving brings with it numerous rewards and stresses. The satisfaction that you are “taking care of your own” is very unique. But family also knows you well. They know that the facial expression you’re making now might mean you’re mad, but trying to cover it up. With someone outside your family, they may not notice it or know what it means.

According to the CDC, the typical caregiver is a woman in her 40s, providing care for her mother. This is an incredible act of love, and reciprocation to the woman who brought you into this world. But she may also be the person who’s able to say just a little remark that can bring up decades of past issues. These are stresses many caregivers of their own parents’ experience, and knowing you’re not alone can help (and you’re not, with 34 million unpaid caregivers out there!).

Friends:
The Internet abounds with stories of people who accidentally become part-time caregivers to their friends and neighbors. Often times, the caregiving begins incrementally: picking up some groceries here, dropping off the mail there. It may stop there, or continue on. These people know that they get along with their charge, which can be a help (who doesn’t love visiting a friend?) and a hindrance (when one person is unhappy, it can be awkward to let their friend know).

Hired:
Caregiving professionals are part of an industry that is growing and will continue to grow as the baby-boomers age. These individuals have devoted their careers to helping others. The satisfaction of that does not lower the stress that can come with the job, but it may provide comfort at the end of a long day. They may be temporary or long-term. Either way they are bringing both help and joy to their charge.

TotalHomeCareSupplies.com honors all the caregivers out there, and hope that they know we’re thinking of them. We’d love to hear about your caregiver experiences, past or present! See you in the comments!

Chinese Law Brings Families Closer Together

Posted by Morgan Mooney on July 15, 2013 under Caregiver Corner | Read the First Comment

Emotional Support for Elderly Parents

Does life sometimes get in the way of putting family first? Despite our best intentions, sometimes we forget to make time for those who raised us. In China, lawmakers identified this as a growing problem and decided to mandate for adults to visit their aging parents – or risk being sued and facing penalties. While the law did not specify how often they must visit or clarify the penalties, the government still hopes to see a rise in positive caregiving for the aging population.

The purpose of the law is primarily to raise awareness, as well as to stress the right of the elderly to reach out for emotional support. “We want to emphasize there is such a need,” said a Shandong University Law Professor, one of those who drafted the law. Life expectancy in China has grown exponentially within the last 5 decades (41 to 73 years), and the percentage of the population aged 60 and above will reach 35% of the population by 2053. With this shift, a growing part of the population will increasingly be in need of family caregivers, due to few affordable alternatives such as retirement homes. Simultaneously, the younger population has grown accustomed to moving away from the home to pursue careers. These laws are meant to help the elderly, but may seem unreasonable to the younger population who is affected.

As the baby boomers become senior citizens, the United States is similarly affected with a growing elderly population as the percentage of those 65+ will grow from 12.9% to 19% by 2030 (statistics provided by: Administration on Aging). More parents and seniors will be in need of assistance, and the job field of gerontology will be in high demand. It is important to recognize these facts to ensure our aging population will get the support they deserve in the future.

Family Caregiving: The Universal Occupation of 65 Million Americans

Posted by Gina Flores on June 6, 2012 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

Family caregivers are a becoming a majority in our society, especially considering the boom in the aging population. Friends in Action of Boise, Idaho posted this 1-minute YouTube video to promote awareness and provide resources for family caregivers.

The Family Caregiving – The Universal Occupation You Tube video highlights these facts about family caregiving:

10,000 people turn 65 every day. Their care will land on family, who as a whole provide 37 billion hours of unpaid care every year
This care is in addition to raising children of their own, working full time and running a home
Resources are available for family caregivers, who need support and a helping hand

TotalHomeCareSupplies.com knows first hand about the demands of family caregiving. Our customers who manage the home medical supply needs of aging parents tell us it’s very convenient to have home delivery and an online resource to buy home care medical supplies in bulk to save time and money. Total Home Care Supplies offers discounted prices on adult diapers and incontinence products, ostomy supplies, catheters, wound care and diabetes testing supplies.

We’re happy and honored to be a resource to the caregiving community, to allow family caregivers more time to spend on the people they love.

Care More. Spend Less. Save Now. | TotalHomeCareSupplies.com

Book Review: When Mom And Dad Need Help

Posted by Gina Flores on April 6, 2012 under Caregiver Corner | Be the First to Comment

BECOME THE BEST ADVOCATE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE!

Mike Campbell is the author of a new book called “When Mom and Dad Need Help” designed to the adult child work together with the aging parent to begin planning the very best solution to senior care. Mike has been an advisor to the senior housing and care industry for over 18 years. Campbell now wants to share the knowledge he’s gained over the years and become a dedicated consumer advocate for those families looking to find quality long-term care options for their loved ones by educating them and giving them a plan.

Reviews:

“For those caring for aging parents and loved ones this book is a must read. With the multiple choices and complexities associated with senior care health care options, it is imperative that caregivers become educated consumers. This book is a comprehensive resource that will give you the education and information you need to be the best advocate for your loved one as possible.” -Lisa F., LNHA, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator

“This is an excellent “how to” reference book on options for caring for a parent. I especially appreciated the suggested language on how to have those difficult conversations.” -Elizabeth P. MSN, CNS, FPCN

For more information on the author and how to order When Mom And Dad Need Help, go to http://iffenwen.com/

For affordable home medical supplies shipped directly to mom or dad, visit TotalHomeCareSupplies.com