Who’s caring for the caregiver?

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In more than three of every 10 households, at least one member in the home is a caregiver, caring for someone who can’t fully take care of himself or herself. More than half of the nation’s caregivers are women and many are children. | File Photo

Updated: January 23, 2012 2:50AM

The last time you were on an airplane, the flight attendant showed you the oxygen masks that are available in case of an emergency.

Remember the advice?

“If you’re sitting next to a young child, take the mask for yourself first, next help the child!”

The attendant didn’t want you to make the same mistake so many caregivers do: taking care of everyone except for themselves.

In more than three of every 10 households, at least one member in the home is a caregiver, caring for someone who can’t fully take care of himself or herself. More than half of the nation’s caregivers are women and many are children. The average caregiver spends more than 40 hours a week caring for a loved one and provides an estimated $110,000 in services each year.

Taking care of an ill or aging loved one can become a full-time job.

According to a survey by Evercare, the financial burden of caregiving coupled with economic realities are causing caregivers to be either more reluctant to miss work for caregiving or to take on additional work to cover caregiving costs.

Many are using their hard-earned savings to cover the skyrocketing cost of providing care.

The financial impact can be devastating to say the least. Many families are taking second mortgages, canceling vacation, and doing whatever they can to make sure their loved ones get their medications, medical supplies, etc. The survey also found that more than half of caregivers who were caring for someone 50 years old or older were spending, on average, more than 10 percent of their annual income to do so — an average of $5,531 per year.

Beyond the financial burden, caring for an ill or aging loved one also can be emotionally overwhelming and stressful. This can take its toll on the caregiver’s health. A domino effect can lead to health problems for the caregiver that will impact his or her ability to provide care.

Caregivers become so engaged in caring for their loved ones they sometimes neglect their own physical, mental and spiritual needs.

Many of us are a part of the “sandwich generation” — in our 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, or in our 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents.

When taking care of a loved one, you tend to put them first. Usually, it’s a parent, and most of us think that our parents sacrificed so much for us that it’s now our turn to make the sacrifices.

That may be true in a sense, but you still need to remember to care for yourself.

What can be done to stop this swirling decline?

There are ways to relieve the burden.

Make time to enjoy your life, maintain your friendships, go to lunch or dinner.

Sometimes your friends may be experiencing some of the same difficulties as you and they can be an awesome support system.

Make an appointment to get your hair done, get a pedicure or even take a trip to the spa for a massage.

Attend church services or you may even want to join a caregiver support group.

It’s good to be able to talk with others who understand what you are experiencing, and they may have a good solution to a problem you are faced with.

Make time for your hobbies: Read a book or magazine, plant a small garden or even take a walk in the park.

And remember ... regular exercise is important because it decreases the stress hormone and increases the body’s endorphins. Endorphins, when released, produce a feeling of happiness and a general state of well-being.

Always keep in mind you are not alone, and reach out to family members when necessary.

Hopefully, by following these simple suggestions, you can be the one caring for you, the caregiver.

Lorian Williams Willis, Tina Davis Larkin and Kim Wroble are advanced practice nurses at Advocate Christ
Medical Center in Oak Lawn.