The danger of caregiver burden
Seniorlink’s new VOICE for Dementia Care Program was highlighted as a solution to reducing caregiver burden symptoms in Stria this week. Activating family caregivers allows them to feel more confident in their caregiving duties, which decreases hospitalizations.
Via Stria:
“With VOICE, families are connected with professional coaches to improve their caregiving skills through established behavioral science and proven caregiver engagement techniques. Jay V. Patel, Clinical Transformation Officer at Seniorlink said the program can “build trusted relationships with caregivers and existing care teams, meeting caregivers where they are in their knowledge, communication, confidence and care skills.”
Seniorlink found many positive outcomes to their pilot program including: improved caregiver confidence, a decrease in hospitalizations, and most notably, a 51 percent drop in emergency room visits.
In addition to helping caregivers learn how to reduce their burden, we should also consider ways to support care recipients. The University of Pittsburgh study showed that as the needs of older adults increased, their feelings of being a burden did as well. Care recipients need tools and strategies to solicit more help.
Asking for help may feel burdensome, but Tumlinson explains that the opposite may be true. “An effort to not be a burden often creates more stress for the caregiver.”‘
To read the full article, click here!
More insights like this:
-
Get Paid to Be a Caregiver Through Connecticut Medicaid
Read more: Get Paid to Be a Caregiver Through Connecticut MedicaidFamily caregivers improve the quality of life and well-being of their loved ones across Connecticut. They often provide around-the-clock care at home including hands-on support with activities of daily living (ADLs), all while ensuring the health and safety of their loved one. Many caregivers don’t realize they can receive payment and support for…
-
Get Caregiver Support through the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services
Read more: Get Caregiver Support through the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability ServicesThey depend on you—for compassion, for empathy, for everyday needs. You pour so much of yourself into caring for your loved one, but when it comes time to balance that with your own well-being, it’s easy to push your health and needs to the backburner. If your loved one is a Connecticut resident,…
-
The Power of Friendship: Deb and Mark’s Caregiving Story
Read more: The Power of Friendship: Deb and Mark’s Caregiving StoryWe extend our heartfelt thanks to Deb and Mark for their openness and willingness to share their experiences. We hope that by sharing their journey, others who find themselves in similar situations can find inspiration, support, and encouragement to build their own networks of care and connection. When Deb and Mark met in…