older people’s health issues
Family Caregiving for Older People
Introduction
 Care Providers: Family and Friends play a key role in caring for chronically ill older people. Although neighbors and friends may help, almost 90% of help in the home (physical, emotional, social, and economic) is provided by family caregivers. One of every six Americans provides care to a family member age 50 years or older. About 38% of people age 80 or older and 76% of people age 90 or older require routine help with personal care and household tasks. Family caregivers who assist with these routine needs can often delay or even prevent the need for care in residential care facilities. The amount and type of care provided by family members depend on economic resources, family structure, quality of relationships, and other demands on the family members' time and energy. Some family caregivers provide minimal assistance (for example, periodically checking in). Others provide full-time, complex care. On average, family caregivers for an older person spend about 22 hours a week giving care. Sometimes care is needed for a short time, as when a person is recovering from surgery. Often, care is needed for months or years. Although society tends to view family members as having a responsibility to care for one another, the limits of such obligations vary among cultures, families, and individual family members. The willingness of family members to provide care may be bolstered by the following: Supportive services, such as technical assistance in learning new skills, counseling services, and family mental health services Supplemental services, such as personal care (including help with grooming, eating, and dressing), home health care, adult day care, and meal programs Supplemental services may be provided on a regular schedule or as Respite Care (time away from caregiving) for a few hours or days. Changes in demographics and social values have reduced the number of family members available to care for impaired older relatives. These changes include the following: Increased life span: As a result, the population of the very old has been increasing. Thus, their children, who are potential caregivers, are likely to be old also. Delayed childbearing: Combined with increased life span, this delay has created a sandwich generation of caregivers who care simultaneously for their children and their parents. Smaller family size: There are fewer (and older) children to help with caring for their older family members. Increasing mobility of society and the increased divorce rate: Families are more likely to be geographically separated, and family ties may be weakened. Nonetheless, 80% of people 65 or older live within 20 minutes of one child. An increasing number of women in the workforce: Previously, women may have provided care for older parents, but the demands of a job may diminish or eliminate their ability to do so. An increase in the number of dependent and very sick older people due to improved management of chronic conditions These factors predict an increasing demand for home care services provided by someone other than family members, friends, and neighbors. 