If you've ever cared for someone who is ill on a long-term basis, you know how fatiguing and frustrating it can be. The stress is especially challenging for baby boomers striving to care for aging parents while working, raising children and hoping to carve out a moment now and then for themselves.
It's no wonder that constant caregiving puts the caregiver's own health at risk.
More than 42 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, provide some level of consistent care for an older or impaired adult. Many provide several hours of care per week; from handling bills and driving Mom to appointments to providing hands-on services such as bathing and toileting assistance.
The caregiving burden, even when freely and lovingly given, takes its toll in terms of time, stress, finances and health. To help combat this growing challenge, AARP has launched a campaign to raise awareness of family caregivers and direct them toward helpful resources.
Ad copy created by AARP and the Ad Council sums it up: "I take care of her, but who takes care of me?"
AARP has established a one-stop website at www.aarp.org/caregiving that is a good starting point for resources. The site features web chats with caregiving experts, online support groups and links to relevant programs and services such as respite services.
Is it the blues, or depression?
Blue is an attractive color, but not a desirable emotional state. We all feel down or sad now and then. If you feel that way all the time, it may not be a case of the blues, but depression.
Depression is an illness that affects many people. In fact, it impacts one out of every five women, including mothers who suffer from "the baby blues" after giving birth.
Symptoms include constantly feeling sad, tired, nervous, cranky, guilty or hopeless; eating or sleeping too little or all the time; having trouble concentrating; contemplating suicide.
In light of this "depressing" news is some very good news. Depression typically gets better with treatment, which may include medication, counseling or a combination of both.
San Diego County is at the forefront of proactive government striving to make a change in people's emotional health and well-being. The County has established a comprehensive website at www.up2sd.org specifically to help people who may be suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness. It helps people and those who love them identify symptoms while guiding them to resources in their community. It offers a 24/7 staffed crisis hotline at 888-724-7240.
Everyone gets down at times. If it seems like you're always down and can't get up, please seek help.
Kaufman can be reached at [email protected]
It's no wonder that constant caregiving puts the caregiver's own health at risk.
More than 42 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, provide some level of consistent care for an older or impaired adult. Many provide several hours of care per week; from handling bills and driving Mom to appointments to providing hands-on services such as bathing and toileting assistance.
The caregiving burden, even when freely and lovingly given, takes its toll in terms of time, stress, finances and health. To help combat this growing challenge, AARP has launched a campaign to raise awareness of family caregivers and direct them toward helpful resources.
Ad copy created by AARP and the Ad Council sums it up: "I take care of her, but who takes care of me?"
AARP has established a one-stop website at www.aarp.org/caregiving that is a good starting point for resources. The site features web chats with caregiving experts, online support groups and links to relevant programs and services such as respite services.
Is it the blues, or depression?
Blue is an attractive color, but not a desirable emotional state. We all feel down or sad now and then. If you feel that way all the time, it may not be a case of the blues, but depression.
Depression is an illness that affects many people. In fact, it impacts one out of every five women, including mothers who suffer from "the baby blues" after giving birth.
Symptoms include constantly feeling sad, tired, nervous, cranky, guilty or hopeless; eating or sleeping too little or all the time; having trouble concentrating; contemplating suicide.
In light of this "depressing" news is some very good news. Depression typically gets better with treatment, which may include medication, counseling or a combination of both.
San Diego County is at the forefront of proactive government striving to make a change in people's emotional health and well-being. The County has established a comprehensive website at www.up2sd.org specifically to help people who may be suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness. It helps people and those who love them identify symptoms while guiding them to resources in their community. It offers a 24/7 staffed crisis hotline at 888-724-7240.
Everyone gets down at times. If it seems like you're always down and can't get up, please seek help.
Kaufman can be reached at [email protected]