Resources for care as society ages

By Kathy Horan

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There is no greater privilege than caring for a loved one in need. Some would say there is also no greater stress than being a full-time caregiver.

Research shows that family members provide more than 80 percent of necessary caregiving. Most frequently, the caregiver is a child or spouse of the care recipient. The percentage of adult children taking care of their parents has tripled since 1994. As our population increasingly and rapidly ages, this trend will continue and even accelerate.

Health issues related to aging affect us all. American businesses can lose as much as $34 billion each year because of employees' need to care for loved ones, a MetLife Caregiving Cost Study reports.

Older caregivers who work and provide care to a parent at the same time are more likely than other workers to report poor health, with problems including depression and chronic disease.

The good news is that there is assistance available to provide some relief to caregivers. Support groups are a great place to share difficulties, get ideas and support and learn about what resources are available. Respite services can give a caregiver time to get away and take care of other responsibilities or time to relax.

Adult day health centers provide a nurturing environment with activities appropriate to the interests and abilities of the person in need. Special care areas within the day centers specialize in meeting the needs of those with dementia or related brain disorders.

Case management services can help identify and arrange for additional assistance such as home health care or homemaker services.

Seventy-nine percent of Iowa AARP members say that as they grow older and health issues arise, it is very important to them to be able to stay at home as long as possible. With assistance such as the services mentioned above, this desire can be achieved.

We are fortunate to live in a community that has so much assistance available. To learn more about services for older adults or if you need assistance, visit the Aging Services website at www.agingservicesia.org or call (319) 398-3644.

Kathy Horan is the executive director of Aging Services Inc., a part of the Abbe Family of Community Services in Eastern Iowa. Comments:

khoran@abbe.org