According to Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), an estimated 3.4 million family caregivers across Texas provide day-to-day care for older or disabled people.
Caregivers help in many ways — cooking, cleaning, managing medications, looking after finances, and maybe even managing doctor appointments.
Caring for a loved one can be incredibly fulfilling. But it can also cause fatigue and feelings of guilt, worry, or worse.
Texas HHS reports that people who don't take time for themselves may develop chronic health problems at nearly twice the rate of non-caregivers. And up to 70% of family caregivers have depression or anxiety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that 84% of family caregivers say they need more information and help on topics mainly related to safety at home and dealing with stress.
Whether you're new to caregiving or experienced, we have tips and resources to support you.
Take Care of Yourself
You must take care of yourself so you can properly care for your loved one as a caregiver. Comfort Keepers® 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 Considerations for Caregivers
Fall Risks
According to CDC, over one in four older adults 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 so often? That's normal for anyone 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 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, such as neglecting grooming or cleanliness
Your TRS health plans can help with mental health resources.
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, 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 7–10 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. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers We Need to Talk, 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 they may need to brush up on their skills. AAA RoadWise Driver is an online course 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 adhere to it. Keep an eye out for sugar-laden and processed foods for people with type 2 diabetes or treats high in sodium if your loved one has high blood pressure.
TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard
Mental health care is covered by TRS-ActiveCare and TRS-Care Standard plans.
- You can make an in-person appointment with a mental health professional. Call a Personal Health Guide at 1-866-355-5999 or use Provider Finder® to find an in-network provider.
- You can get virtual mental health care through Teladoc® by making an appointment online or through the Teladoc app.
- You can get confidential support for stress, anxiety, depression and more with online programs through Learn to Live.
For more information about your mental health coverage and to get started, visit the TRS-ActiveCare or TRS-Care Standard website. Click the Health and Wellbeing tab and then Mental Health.
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®), Teladoc and Doctor on Demand™. Visit the UnitedHealthcare website for TRS retirees to get started.
You can also work with the Texas Area Agencies 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 cause their depression. If you suspect dementia, you may want to contact a neurologist.
Important Resources
Learn more about family caregiving:
Caring for a loved one can be incredibly fulfilling. But it's just as important to 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.