Military Officer - August 2006 - (Page 58)

Instantly awake, Alma tional Family Caregiver RESOURCES jumped up and raced to Support Program, estab■ National Eldercare Locator: www.eldercare.gov her husband. Entering the lished through the Older ■ Family Caregiver Alliance: www.caregivers.org bedroom now cluttered Americans Act, provides ■ National Family Caregivers Association: www.nfcacares.org with medical equipment information for caregiv■ Alzheimer’s Association: www.alz.org and looking more like ers; helps gain access to ■ National Alliance for Care Giving: www.caregiving.org services, counseling, and a hospital room, Alma respite care; and provides gasped as she found Bob caregiver services on a limited basis sitting on the ﬂoor between his lies care full-time for a spouse, parent, bed and commode chair. “Sorry, or adult child with chronic illness or a to those who are eligible. Your local Area on Aging, usually listed in the babe,” he said sheepishly. “I tried to physical or mental disability. government section of the phone help myself this time, and I guess I The numbers are signiﬁcant. An book, also can be an excellent source slipped.” Alma bit her tongue, wish- estimated 26 million Americans are of information and resources. ing just once she caregivers to an adult family But when the burden becomes could tell Bob member, 5 million care for too great or caregiving is not an ophow she felt about a person with dementia (of tion, you should be aware of available his “helpfulness.” whom 514,000 are veterans, alternatives. Once limited to nursing Instead, she put according to a 2004 VA surhome care and home health care, on a smile and vey), and 7 million are inforchoices have expanded to include helped her husmal caregivers. care of all types and combinations. band off the ﬂoor. Caregiving is a full-time All of these choices can make the After putting job for most, with 40 or more decision process even more confusBob back to bed, hours a week spent on careing for the average person. ContinuAlma made her giving duties. Even informal ing care, assisted living, supportive nightly call to her daughter, Cathy. caregivers can spend as many as 20 care, rest home, and nursing home “I just don’t know how much longer hours a week involved in activities care — what are they, and which ones I can go on like this,” Alma sighed. that are strictly caregiver-related. most effectively meet your needs and “Caring for your father is killing me.” And as many caregivers can attest, Cathy listened patiently then gently all of this time spent caring for others those of your loved ones? Start with the basics. suggested that maybe it was time to can take a heavy toll. An HHS survey look into other options for her dad. of full-time caregivers revealed that Alma realized Cathy might be right. Weigh the options half experience poor health, suffer The ﬁrst thing you should deterfrom depression, and are more likely Identify your needs mine is how much physical care your to become physically ill. “Life begins at 50” goes the adage, loved one requires. His or her abilThe National Alliance for Care but today’s 50-somethings live a far ity to dress unaided, walk, propel a Giving identiﬁes the following as pomore complex life than in decades tential signs of stress overload: past. Potential challenges include ■ reduced attention span and forced early retirement, chronic illconcentration; ness of a spouse, daily care of grand■ unusual memory lapses; children, and worries about securing ■ impaired thinking; a safe future for an adult handi■ irritability; capped child. ■ physical aches and pains; Indeed, making the right decisions ■ irregular heartbeat; for you and your loved ones involves ■ unusual or excessive perspiration; not only watching your ﬁnances but ■ stomach problems; also understanding all the options ■ sleep difﬁculties; and that are available to provide comfort ■ withdrawal from regular acin your “golden years.” tivities and diminished interest in According to the U.S. Departhome and environment. ment of Health and Human Services Stress overload can be managed (HHS), one-fourth of American famifor a short period of time. The Na58 MILITARY OFFICER AUGUST 2006 PHOTOS/IMAGES: TKTK http://www.eldercare.gov http://www.caregivers.org http://www.nfcacares.org http://www.alz.org http://www.caregiving.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - August 2006

Military Officer - August 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapter Activities Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Changing of the Guard Four-Star Rating Long Term Care Kryptogram Pages of History Information Exchange MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - August 2006

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