{"id":4034,"date":"2021-07-07T21:40:27","date_gmt":"2021-07-07T21:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpscolumbus.com\/?p=4034"},"modified":"2021-07-09T01:02:18","modified_gmt":"2021-07-09T01:02:18","slug":"unpaid-caregivers-the-quiet-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpscolumbus.com\/unpaid-caregivers-the-quiet-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Unpaid Caregivers: The Quiet Heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"

The circle of life can bring an unanticipated irony to adult children: Once dependent upon their parents to meet their basic needs and development, these adults find their roles have been flipped.<\/p>\n

Their parents are aging\u2014struggling to keep up with their activities of daily living, not remembering to pay their bills, unable to grocery shop and prepare nutritious meals or safely operate appliances.<\/p>\n

The changes are slow and subtle, but become more apparent over time. These adult children are stepping in, becoming caregivers to their parents.<\/p>\n

Unpaid caregivers are also those who are taking care of a spouse or significant other. The average age of a family caregiver is 49, but almost 10%<\/a><\/span> are seniors themselves.<\/p>\n

They are our country\u2019s quiet heroes. And they are suffering.<\/p>\n

Does this describe you or someone in your family? Statistically, it probably does.<\/p>\n

AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving<\/span><\/a> reports that more than 1 in 5 adults, or 53 million American adults, are unpaid family caregivers.<\/p>\n

In addition to watching someone they love deteriorate, these caregivers are dealing with the stress of their careers, raising their own families, and providing the necessary around the clock care their loved one requires. It takes a toll both emotionally and physically. Rough statistics show that 30% of caregivers<\/a><\/span> die before those they are caring for.<\/p>\n

If they weren\u2019t at a breaking point before, COVID-19 made it worse.<\/p>\n

Studies Prove It<\/strong>
\nThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> recently released a study on the mental health of unpaid caregivers during the pandemic. Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts were some of the symptoms reported by two-thirds of the survey respondents who identified as unpaid caregivers.<\/p>\n

Forty percent of the caregiver respondents reported having passive suicidal thoughts, and 30% seriously considered taking their own life.<\/p>\n

The pandemic added to what was already a stressful situation. Support services such as adult day care and physical therapy were forced to close down. Social gatherings were too dangerous to consider. Parents worked from home, children learned remotely and aging parents had no place else to go. The change in routine combined with the stress of the unknown took its toll on unpaid caregivers.<\/p>\n

Unpaid Caregivers Need Support<\/strong>
\nCaregivers have one of the most important jobs in the world, and their mental health should not be overshadowed by those they take care of. Families and health systems tend to focus on the care of the patients, not the needs of the caregiver. That needs to change.<\/p>\n

The study showed that caregiver support can go a long way. Survey respondents who had others to rely on to help with caregiving had a lower incidence of mental health symptoms than those who did not.<\/p>\n

Caregiver Support for Health Care Needs<\/strong>
\nIf you are an unpaid caregiver of an older family member, making decisions about their health can be one of your most stressful responsibilities\u2014especially if the patient can\u2019t make his\/her own decisions and you aren\u2019t sure where to start.<\/p>\n

If that\u2019s the case, a patient advocate can lighten your load and reduce your stress. A patient advocate can evaluate your situation, explain your options, and decipher complex medical terminology. A patient advocate is your partner offering comfort and peace of mind to a difficult situation.<\/p>\n

Local Resources for Caregiver Support<\/strong>
\nWe appreciate you and the important job you are doing, but you don\u2019t have to do it alone. You have a community of supporters rallying behind you, waiting to help with the biggest challenge of your life.<\/p>\n

Please take the time to read, bookmark and revisit some of the following local resources available to help you:<\/p>\n