St.

Andrew’s Resources for

Seniors System
The Caregivers
1/4 of the United States population is caring for an older relative
 Caregiver

…is a person who is concerned

about, or provides physical,
emotional, or financial assistance to
an older person
60% 54%
50% 18-24 yrs
40% 25-34 yrs
30% 20% 35-64 yrs
20% 11% 13% 65+
10% Refused
2%
0%
 44%
56% Male
Female

• Spouse
• Daughter - Son
• Other Family Member
• Friend
 Nursing Care

Caregivers Providing
Nursing Care

Male
41% Female
59%
 Physical Care

Caregivers Providing
Physical Care (ADLs)

39% Male
61% Female
 ADULT CHILDREN

• “spend more time in care for their parents

than they did for their children.”

- HR Magazine
 Caregivers have more. . .

•Stress related illnesses

•Utilize more health care
services
•Neglect their own care
•Deplete their emotional
reserve
 54% of Caregivers are Between 35-64 Years
Old--Their Prime Wage Earning Years

60%
54%
50%
40%
30%
20%
20%
11% 13%
10%
2%
0%

18-24 yrs 25-34 yrs 35-64 yrs 65+ Refused

 Roles

•Support Person
•Confidant
•Coordinator
•Personal Care Assistance
•Home Maintenance Person
•Financial Planner/Manager
 Roles
•Social Director
•Advisor
•Counselor
•Decision Maker
•Investigator
 Responsibilities

•Counsel and Assist in Making the Right Decision

•Investigating Services/Programs
•Listen
•Gather Information
•Plan, Arrange, Coordinate, or Do Social Activities
•Available Per Day-Per Week- Around The Clock
 Feelings

•Blessed
•Loving
•Dutiful
•Closeness
•Generous
•Joy
•Pride
•Staying Involved
•Paying Back What I Was
Given
 Feelings

•Anger •Guilty
•Sad •Fearful
•Tired •Helpless
•Ignorant •Confused
•Overwhelmed •Trapped
•Alone •Embarrassed
• Angry, Dutiful, Alone
• Overwhelmed, Helpless, Ignorant
• Loving, Sad, Close
• Generous, Angry, Tired, Dutiful
• Guilty, Fearful
• Overwhelmed, Angry, Alone

Normal Change with Aging
Hearing: Decline in ability to
hear, particularly high tones
CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
Older Person’s Response
Positive: Use more therapeutic
communication (touch, facial,
direct eye contact),
acceptance/admission of
problem, use of hearing aids
Negative: Isolation,
confusion, embarrassment of
aid, denial, thinking others
will talk
Caregiver’s Positive Response
Opportunity to use
more touching and
face-to-face
interaction, enhance
communication skills,
assist older person in
getting hearing
test/hearing aid

Normal Changes with Aging
Sight: Decline in ability to
see at night, read small
print/glossy print
materials, busy printing,
etc.
CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
Older Person’s Response
Positive: Change to bright
colors, increase value of other
sense
Negative: Inability to read, fear
of night driving, denial
Caregiver’s Positive Response
Opportunity to help
older person
redecorate in order to
maximize vision (bright
glare, cut glare, read to
person, accompany
person to get eye
testing)
 CARE FOR CARGIVERS
Normal Changes with Aging
Ambulation: Decreased
ability to walk for distances,
climb stairs, or walk quickly.
Older Person’s Response
Positive: Exercise,
strengthening, explore
new hobbies, use aids
Negative: Isolation, lack of
socialization, loss of
favorite passtimes,
dependency, distorted self
image
Caregiver’s Positive Response
Assist with
ambulation/exercise,
increase visiting and
telephoning, assist with
household chore
Encourage friendships-
arrange for outings
 CARE FOR CARGIVERS
Normal Changes with Aging Older Person’s Response Caregiver’s Positive Response

Loss of loved ones: Through Positive: Opportunities to Encourage new

decreased mobility,
geographic move, or death
explore new relationships- involvement, patience with
place greater value on grief, provide means and
existing ones opportunities for
socialization- listen
Negative: Grief (normal),
loneliness and boredom
 CARE FOR CARGIVERS
Normal Changes with Aging Older Person’s Response Caregiver’s Positive Response

Retirement: Separation from Positive: Chance to travel, Encourage involvement,

normal employment (loss) explore new hobbies, assist with activities,
relationships or business listen, support, and
opportunities, relief, pride support new ventures
in accomplishments

Negative: Decreased self-

esteem, boredom, feeling of
uselessness, often
decreased income, lack of
purpose
 CARE FOR CARGIVERS
Normal Changes with Aging Older Person’s Response Caregiver’s Positive Response

Physical Signs of Aging: Positive: Acceptance and Express recognition of

Grey hair, wrinkles, hair loss appreciation of aging inner beauty

Negative: Loss of youth, Reinforce positive aspect

fear, decreased self
image, loss of sexuality Encourage activity
 CARE FOR CARGIVERS
Normal Changes with Aging Older Person’s Response Caregiver’s Positive Response

Memory: Difficulty Positive: Retention of Suggest use of memory

remembering new great events, more aids, offer reassurance-
information precision when more forgetfulness is normal
time taken with new
information

Negative: Fear of
senility, depression