Support for Caregivers Available at Health Department

Many people may spend so much time caring for a loved one that they don’t even recognize themselves as being a caregiver.  Families are often the primary caregiver for older persons in this country.  According to the Illinois Department on Aging, one in four households (25%) takes on the role of providing care to older family members and friends.  Family caregivers serve as a critical component in providing the long term care needs of older adults.  Eighty-five percent of all long term care services are provided by unpaid caregivers.  If the work of these family caregivers had to be replaced by paid home care staff, the estimated cost would be $45 to $94 billion per year.   The term “caregiver” refers to anyone who provides assistance to someone else who needs it.  This person in need could be a wife who has Alzheimer’s disease, a father who has suffered a stroke or a friend or neighbor with cancer.   In some instances, the caregiving role may evolve over a period of time as the caregiver takes on more and more responsibility, not realizing how involved he or she has become.  In other cases, caregiving may come in a time of crisis where a sudden illness can turn an independent older person into someone who needs assistance on a daily basis.   Family caregiving is very common, especially among baby boomers whose parents are beginning to experience chronic health problems.  Although women  are most often the caregivers, there are an increasing number of men who are fulfilling this role.  Many caregivers live with or near to the person for whom they provide care, while other caregivers may be living in another city or state.   Caregivers dedicate on average 20 hours per week providing care to older persons and even more time is spent when the older person has multiple disabilities or health problems.  Many caregivers provide care without any outside assistance.  However, support services for caregivers, including information and assistance,  education, training, support groups and respite care have been shown to delay nursing home placement of care recipients and provide relief to caregivers, thereby preventing caregiver burnout.   The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department is a local organization that provides assistance and support to caregivers.  The department staff urges anyone who is struggling with caregiving now, or who may be in the future, to call Tammy  Barragree, Caregiver Advisor at 1-800-282-3339.  Tammy will assist you in securing resources that will help lighten your load as a caregiver. 
 
 
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