Elder care is an enormous responsibility

Being a caregiver to an elderly person is described in a variety of ways. There can be long stretches of endless details, decisions, demands, forms, funding issues, hurt feelings, giving up and starting over. There can also be the warmest of feelings, a sense of privilege to share these final times together, victories and improvement, even absolute hilarity. Sometimes, all the above in the course of a day.

Research about family and community caregivers is replete with findings of exceptionally high stress and risk of resulting health problems of their own, and its demands place caregivers at risk for psychological and physical problems.

As our loved ones live longer and we ourselves face longer life, the task of administering care becomes a job for more than one person to handle.

When you need help, start anywhere, but take action today. Your first half-hour telephone consultation with Dan Smerken is free.