Caring for the caregiver of an older adult
If an older adult experiences a health crisis and the person he's living with -- whether it's his spouse or someone else -- is healthy, your role in the caregiver equation is an essential one. As long as the healthy older adult is willing and able, she'll likely be the primary caregiver -- but she's still going to need your support.
In her book How to Care for Aging Parents, Virginia Morris points out that when a parent falls ill or is diagnosed with a serious disease, everyone tends to focus on that parent. But the healthy older adult also needs your attention -- now and in the days and months ahead.
It's natural for loved ones to be concerned about the patient. If your friend or relative has just been diagnosed with cancer or suffered a stroke, your first concern is bound to be for him, ensuring that he get the best possible care. This will be his housemate's primary concern as well, and she's apt to neglect her own health and emotional needs as she focuses on him. The best way for you to help is by caring for the caregiver as well as the patient.
Consider the healthy person's experience. While the patient faces a physical crisis, the healthy person faces a crisis almost as profound. If your father has just received a terminal cancer diagnosis, for example, your mother must come to grips with the fact that she's losing her life partner. She could face years of caregiving -- and the prohibitive financial pressures that go with it. You can't change this reality, but your empathy and reassurance will help her face the difficult times ahead.
Promote nutrition, sleep, and exercise. When a loved one has a health crisis, it's easy for caregivers to forget to take care of themselves. Check that the healthy person is getting enough sleep; eating regular meals; and exercising whenever possible. If the patient is hospitalized with a heart attack and she doesn't want to leave his side, offer to stay with him for a few hours so she can go home to shower and take a nap. See that she gets out for a brisk walk in the fresh air. Bring her special foods or protein shakes if she's skipping meals, and consult her doctor is she's having trouble sleeping. Remind her that she won't be any help if she gets sick, too.
Expect some denial. Don't be surprised if the healthy person seems to be in denial about the gravity of the patient's health condition. It's likely that she hasn't yet fully absorbed the impact of the blow she's received. Gently remind her that she doesn't have to make any major decisions until she learns more about his prognosis.
Encourage her to discuss her feelings. The healthy person is probably in shock and struggling to understand the nature of the patient's condition. She may also be beginning to think about what's in store and to comprehend the devastating loss she's suffered. In a quiet moment, check in with her about how she's doing and offer to be a sounding board if she wants to talk through her grief, her fear, or her plans. Help her tap into resources like eldercare services and hospital support groups.
Let her talk even if it hurts. You may find that it's painful to listen as she expresses fear and grief over the patient's condition. Resist the urge to change the subject or end the conversation. She needs to express her feelings, and you're likely to find that sharing yours comforts you both.
I have been and will be the caregiver for my ex-husband. He has had 4 strokes and now we have found that he also has cancer. After his second stroke he was in a nursing home for about 3 years. He made a lot of improvement and was unhappy with the nursing home so he came to live with me. He was here for about 15 months, but his health kept sliding back on us. I felt so overwhelmed most days! When he moved in with me his health was as good as you would expect after 3 strokes. Then he had a 4th. He kept having UTIs and he had 2 blood infections that required IV meds 4 times a day, one of which was always in the night. I have a seizure disorder and syncope among other difficulties. Most of my problems are made worse by stress. We just went around in circles. The work of caring for him was not bad; the worry was awful. It was reassuring to read that my reactions were not unusual. I felt very selfish whenever I complained to my son and he didn't want to hear about it. I think he was worried and didn't know how to help, but I needed to talk. It was good to read that this was not odd either. Thank you.
iknow that felling being burnd out im doing it now 6 years for my hudbund (stroke) his mental is of a 7 year old child and im getting so burnd out im doing it 24/7 igot 3aduld children 42,44 and46 years and only 1 will come to help me i know there all have a family 2 but i need help sametimes so bad and i can call but there allways to busy but there dad allway had time for them thank you i fell better that i can talk aboud it
Oops, for some reason my first comment didn't come through. TAKE 2 Helpful article about CONTINUING TO OFFER to HELP (page 2) when a primary caregiver refuses your help. Sometimes, offering to help with the little things like washing the dishes in the sink and then making lunch so the primary caregiver can then have something to eat and have someone to talk with. These little things can go a long way in a caregiver's life.
Consider the healthy persons experience. My 77 year old father cares for my mom with dimentia when I am at work. I worry about him too. He is on oxygen 24 /7.
que sucede cuando la persona en mejores condiciones de salud, aun continua llevaando cargas, responsabilidades y tareas que se supone ya no deberian ser su compromiso, ella no permite ninguna ayuda posible pero al mismo tiempo deja a mi padre anciano mucho tiempo solo, y el esta descuidado, bajando de peso porque hay un componente emocional y afectivo que falta, y es ese que mama no esta en casa brindandole compania y soporte emocional, mama estaa un saludable yi iene una energia desbordante a toda prueba, pero tememos porque ella ya se cansa y hay un momento en que vemos que su salud mental puede estar en juego por las exigencias de papa y que ella no puede satisfacer porque esta en muchos frentes al mismo tiiempo
I need help! My husband is only 58, he has Alzheimers. I work and Thank God, it my scape, but I am all day worry. Before I leave the house and while preparing his breakfast he is cursing and saying I am a bad wife. I am losing the house beause I cannot pay the mortgage. Lately, its been bad. I screamed because he frustrates me so much with his bad words. I have no help with him, his son wont visit and dont want to do anything with him. There are many things that contribute to that. He is lucky that I am still there, I dont know for how long more. I am tired and stress out and can't even sleep well. Reading above stories, gave me some hope and I am going to try to get some help.