Caregivers help in any number of ways. Cooking, cleaning, managing medications, looking after finances, and maybe even managing doctors' appointments. While caring for a loved one can be incredibly fulfilling, it can also cause fatigue as well as feelings of guilt, worry, or worse.
Texas HHS reports that those who don't take time for themselves may develop chronic health problems at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers. And as many as 70% of family caregivers experience depression or anxiety.
Take Care of Yourself
You must take care of yourself to ensure you can properly care for your loved one as a caregiver. Comfort Keepers® has developed a
practical guide for facing family caregiver challenges (pdf).
Learn more about compassion fatigue, preparing for care, taking care of yourself as a caregiver, ways to pay for care, and how to prepare for extended time away from your loved one.
Important Consideration for Caregivers
Fall Risks
According to the CDC, more than one in four older adults
will have a fall every year. It's essential to do what you can so your loved one isn't part of that statistic.
Through the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), you can
evaluate your loved ones' living space, including potential fall hazards like unsafe indoor or outdoor stairs or slippery throw rugs.
Mental Health
Who doesn't feel down every once in a while? That's normal for anyone who might be dealing with health problems or worried about money. But you need to recognize the more significant changes that might indicate your loved one is depressed:
- changes in energy levels
- irritability or anger
- loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
- difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- eating more or less than usual
- thoughts of death or suicide
Dementia, meanwhile, is more of a memory change or impairment. The typical symptom is forgetfulness, more than people would expect with normal aging. Some other signs to look for:
- difficulty with everyday tasks
- communication problems such as constantly repeating questions
- getting lost
- personality changes
- confusion about time and place
- troubling behavior, including neglecting grooming or cleanliness
Your TRS health plan can help with mental health resources.
TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
TRS Virtual Health powered through Teladoc® lets you arrange a two- or three-way mental health video or phone visit for your noncovered adult dependent with a doctor 24/7.
You can add the person you care for to your Teladoc account, even if they're not covered by your health plan, to address any nonurgent health care needs. Visit the
TRS-ActiveCare or
TRS-Care Standard website to get started.
TRS-Care Medicare Advantage
TRS-Care Medicare Advantage participants have access to virtual behavioral health visits. Get connected with network practitioners from American Well (AmWell®) and Doctor on Demand™. Visit the
UnitedHealthcare website for TRS retirees to get started.
You can also work with the
Area Agency on Aging to develop a support plan or consult a geriatric psychiatrist, a doctor trained to recognize and treat mental illnesses in older people.
Finally, ask your loved one's primary care physician or pharmacist if a specific medication, or combination of drugs, could be causing their depression. If you suspect dementia, you may want to contact a neurologist.
Money Matters
If you see stacks of unopened mail or unpaid bills, uncashed checks, or maybe even home or legal documents that your loved one hasn't dealt with, then it's time to intervene.
The solution may be simple, like helping to sort the mail and prioritize. Or, you might offer to help with more complicated matters while your loved one continues handling day-to-day household and personal finances.
Driving
By 2030, more than 70 million people will be 65 and older, and about 85% will be licensed to drive. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), seniors are outliving their ability to drive safely by an average of seven to 10 years.
It can be challenging to know when to limit your loved one's driving or when it's time for them to stop driving altogether. AAA offers a
seminar to help you understand how to know when it's time to talk about your loved ones’ driving skills.
Your loved one may still be able to drive, but maybe they need to brush up on their skills.
AAA RoadWise Driver is an online course designed to help seniors adjust to age-related physical changes. The
AARP Smart Driver course, available online or in a classroom, helps drivers 50 and older sharpen their skills — and may entitle them to a discount on auto insurance.
Changes in Appearance
Has your loved one's appearance changed? Have they gained or lost a significant amount of weight? Is your father's hair matted, or has he gone without shaving for a while?
Unexplained bruises, where a loved one can't remember when or how they got them, are another red flag. These changes may have multiple causes, so go on a fact-finding mission.
Life at Home
Your loved one may be withdrawing from friends and family. Regular phone calls can help keep your loved one socially connected, as can other technology, such as video chats, online communities, and social media.
If they need to follow a special diet, make sure they're adhering to it. Keep an eye out for sugar-laden and processed foods for those with type 2 diabetes or treats that are high in sodium if your loved one has high blood pressure.
Important Resources
Learn more about family caregiving:
Caring for a loved one can be incredibly fulfilling, but just as important is ensuring you take care of yourself. Take advantage of the many available resources and help make your time with your loved one more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone involved.
