Caregiving : Helping Those Who Help Others
July 10, 2009
Here at Gilbert Guide, we are always telling our family caregivers to take a break so that when they are “on-duty” they can provide the best home health care to their loved one. Take note that one of the toughest jobs that we can think of is taking care of an aging loved one, which is why each of our Guides has sections on Caregiver Support, Counseling and Support Groups and Crisis Lines. But as one of our readers recently pointed out, what resources are available for the professional caregiver, especially those who provide live-in senior care and take the huge amount of responsibility? The reader also asked if there was forum in which they would like to talk about other issues and wages in regard to providing professional home health care. Her opinions have brought up a point which was recently talked on Medical News Today that reports for caregivers are some of the lowest in the country. And how this fact coupled with the aging population of baby boomers could spell trouble for the industry if it is unable to keep up the supply with the demand.
Honestly, we were unsure as to how to really help her, so we would like you to weigh-in, please let us know which organizations, including anything from advocacy to support groups, you have found useful. Did you have any luck with contacting the National Organization for Homecare and Hospice to see what they recommend? Which direction were you pointed in, and most importantly, do you feel like your opinions are being heard?
Board and care homes are residences for seniors who require some care or help with the activities of daily living (ADLs or IADLs). They are smaller-scale assisted living facilities, usually having a resident capacity of no more than fourteen. Licensing requirements vary by state, some states require that board and care homes carry the same license as assisted living facilities
CCRCs are living communities for seniors. Most have three levels of residence: assisted living, independent living and skilled nursing. Each level of residence is tied to the level of care that the resident requires. The primary concept behind a CCRC is that it offers a wider spectrum of care,~The most primary concept behind a CCRC is that it gives a wider spectrum of care so that once a senior moves into the community, he or she will be able to receive the appropriate care as his or her needs change. Many CCRCs support aging in place. Searc Gilbert Guide’s CCRC listings along with more information about what CCRCs offer.
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