Skip to main content

Caring for an Elderly Relative Can Be Challenging


Caregiver burnout is a real thing. Experts estimate 61 percent of the country’s 48 million caregivers are working outside jobs along with acting as a caregiver. In a report titled “Working While Caregiving: It’s Complicated,” from AARP and S&P Global, two-thirds of respondents said they had at least some difficulty balancing work and life responsibilities.

The survey reports 84 percent of respondents said caregiving had a moderate or high impact on the stress they feel daily. Another 27 percent of working caregivers said due to their workload “they were forced to go from full-time to part-time work or reduce their hours.” Others complained their employers seemed to be more understanding of child care leave than they were to employees who had to take time off to care for a parent or other elderly family member.

Respondents said beyond holding down a job, they were putting in at least six hour a week of caregiving for a loved one. Tasks include everything from assisting with the actual physical care of a loved one to taking the person to doctor visits, grocery shopping, and serving as an advocate for the person to ensure they are getting the proper care.

Other studies support the findings of the AARP survey as they too found participants reported difficulty in balancing work and caregiving; and the negative impact it can have on physical and mental health. In 2023, a study found almost half of all caregivers were spending between 10 to 29 hours a week caregiving. More concerning is many caregivers are neglecting their own health stating they have no time to exercise and are not keeping up with routine annual physicals and screenings. In fact, forty-one percent of caregivers report low overall well-being, which is 32% more than non-caregivers.

This is why assisted living and memory care communities can be a lifesaver for both the elderly person and the family caregiver. Many communities like MorningStar at River Oaks offer residents much more than just comprehensive physical care. Residents enjoy a whole range of amenities and services as well as the opportunity to make new friends.

Once a family decides to entrust MorningStar at River Oaks with the care of their loved one, we do a thorough evaluation of the person's medical history, background and personal preferences to create a care plan which is routinely updated. Residents receive access to a full-time licensed nurse and a caring, responsive 24-hour staff. Other services include medication management, scheduled transportation and onsite therapeutic services such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. Please contact us for more information about outstanding assisted living in Houston.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, welcoming atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide the finest senior living Houston has to offer. Please contact our team to inquire about availability, pricing or to set up a tour.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Advantages That Come With Aging

An article from National Geographic explores the concept that there are ways our health can improve as we grow older, if we are open to it. Michelle Feng, chief clinical officer at Executive Mental Health and a licensed psychologist specializing in geriatric psychology and medicine, explains it this way: “Everyone talks about aging as this decline, but aging is just living. It literally means you are alive.” The key may lie in how we think. Studies find that holding positive views on old age is related to better cognitive health. It may also result in fewer mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Some studies even show those who think positively about the aging process live longer. One of the ways our health may improve with age is our ability to handle stress. Experts believe the experience we gain from going through various challenges throughout our lives prepares us with tried-and-true strategies on how to better manage today’s stressful situations. Moreover, a study i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Knee Pain in Seniors

As we age, our knees take a beating. We use them to walk, stand and climb stairs, and they are used when we get up from a sitting or lying position. When our knees hurt, everyday tasks are harder to do. Chronic knee pain is often a form of arthritis that occurs when the cushioning cartilage protecting the knee joints starts to wear down. As more cartilage wears away, the space between the bones narrows resulting in bone rubbing against bone. Knee arthritis is a deteriorating condition, and in addition to pain, can cause deformities such as knock knees or bowlegs. Experts explain there are three forms of arthritis that affect the knee. The first is a degenerative joint disease called osteoarthritis; another is the autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis; and finally post-traumatic knee arthritis that happens with a history of injury or trauma. Factors increasing your risk for knee arthritis include the wear and tear that comes from age, being overweight, heredity, gender, and h...
Post a Comment
Read more

Independent and Assisted Living in Pasadena

Since our company was founded in 2003, we have believed it is a privilege to “cast a new light” on senior living guided by the following precepts: to honor God in our business practices and relationships; value all seniors as gifted and contributing individuals; and invest generously in our team’s ability to serve well. In addition, we firmly believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless. If you are looking for exceptional senior living, Pasadena. CA’s MorningStar community may be the place for you. MorningStar of Pasadena is designed to provide seniors with stress-free living, as we handle the maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping. This leaves you free to pursue your interests, explore new hobbies, travel and meet new friends. Our luxury community provides all the services, resort-style amenities, and programs to ensure residents a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and security. Starting with a 5-Star dining service that includes meals prepared largely...
Post a Comment
Read more