Caregiver Burnout

August 7th, 2008 Posted in News, Resources/Support

When health care issues are debated, often missing from the public policy debate is the huge value of informal care giving services and, unfortunately, the toll those services take on the caregivers. National estimates show that thirty to thirty-eight million family caregivers provide ongoing care for loved ones or family members. These services provided by the caregiver are valued at more than 350 billion dollars annually. In Oklahoma alone, an estimated five-hundred thousand family caregivers provide more than three-hundred million hours of care. That amount of time and stress often catches up to them.

Whether the caregiver is caring for an elderly parent, someone who is chronically ill or a disabled child such as one with cerebral palsy, they all have special needs that require unpaid services, “in hopes of providing their loved ones a better quality of life.” Often caring for a disabled child becomes difficult as the child grows. When they are young it is far easier to help with bathing and moving them around with ease. However as the child continues to grow it is rarely a one person job in order to provide adequate care.

Being a fulltime caregiver and still trying to retain a job is no easy task. Symptoms of “negligence, depression, financial problems, anxiety, feelings of detachment, irritability and difficulties in relationships have all been linked to care giving.” This is where Respite care comes into play.

Respite care provides short-term relief from the responsibilities of caring for loved ones. Respite care allows the caregiver to go on vacation, see a movie, or simply run everyday errands. This gift of time that Respite care gives is crucial in providing the caregiver with a much needed brake. Care giving can be a full time job and the little things like help from family and friends, or an option like Respite is a good way to help with the stress.

For More Information Click Here.