Here's what most caregivers said they wanted:
- Access to more information and education
- The availability of professional resources
- The option of family leave time from employers
Psychological counseling, group therapy and support groups were typically the least favored options by both male and female caregivers. As DiBrezzo and Shadden noted, this points to the need for practical, real-world assistance to help caregivers better manage their situations.
Resources Are Available If You Know Where to Look
Ironically, many resources are already available, but caregivers simply do not know that they’re out there. It's important for employers and agencies that offer these services to make sure caregivers are aware of them, the researchers said.
Area Agencies on Aging
DiBrezzo and Shadden recommend that caregivers start by contacting their local Area Agency on Aging for more information on support services.
This private, nonprofit organization, established 30 years ago by the Older American's Act, has branches in every state and offers access to a wide variety of resources for caregivers, including:
- Information and referrals
- Case management
- In-home care
- Home-delivered assistance devices
- Personal emergency response systems
- Access to adult day care
- Home delivered meals
- Senior activity centers
- Caregiver training programs
Finding an Area Agency on Aging
To find your local Area Agency on Aging, along with other resources for seniors and caregivers, use the online
Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, or call 1-800-677-1116 to speak to an Eldercare Locator information specialist.
What's the next step in this study of caregiver stress?
