Thanksgiving. National Hospice Month. National Family Caregivers Month. November has many designations: it’s all about families, being grateful – and recognizing the hard work that end of life issues require.
According to the National Association for Home Care, 7.6 million people in the U.S. require some form of help at home. More than two-thirds (68.6 percent) of home care recipients are seniors themselves, over age 65. More than 80 percent of the home care support is provided by family members—are you one? In Delaware, more than 150,000 people spend part of their lives as caregivers.
The stress of making sure a family member is receiving proper care is enormous: making sure a loved one with a chronic condition is eating properly, taking the proper medications, and able to clean and dress themselves properly.
Fortunately, increased recognition of this rapidly growing family care crisis is being met with expanding support offerings from both the public and private sector. Sources of information and support include local organizations like the Delaware Division of Services for Aging (www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd), Adults with Physical Disabilities (www.state.ar.us/dhs/aging) and local Senior Centers (nccde.org/findactcenters.htm). These resources can help families find information and services to help put in place the best and most cost-effective support for their particular family situation.
A number of companies also exist to meet the growing needs of families with members having problems maintaining their independence with dignity. Many families are not aware that caregiver services can be used part-time. Families should make full use of the resources available to them when having to consider the best care for a family member, especially during the holiday season.
Maryanne Murray lives in Hockessin and owns Griswold Special Care of Delaware, in the First State for 21 years.
