Final blog post (Summary & Call to Action)

Family caregivers have an enormous job, one they are often unprepared for. As the need for caregivers increases, because of people living longer and an overburdened and ill-prepared long-term care system, support and training is more important than ever. Caregivers are at higher risk for physical and mental illnesses. Further, they are at risk for complicated grief and dying sooner than their non-caregiving peers. Caregivers need support and they need to know that they are not being selfish by taking care of themselves.

Health disparities exist among family caregivers in a variety of ways. Caucasian caregivers are more likely to report depression and African-American caregivers are more likely to have cardiovascular disease. Little is known about how culture affects health among minority caregivers. LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) elders and caregivers have unique needs that must be addressed.

Overall, I hope that readers of this blog get a sense of the issues that affect caregiver health. It should be shocking to readers that family caregivers provide care that is more than yearly Wal-Mart spending. Readers should want to learn more about caregiver health. My hope is that readers will realize that we are facing a looming caregiver health crisis and that public health educators are poised to help improve caregiver health. 

Controversial Issue: Placing your loved one in a long-term care facility

The choice to place a loved one in a long-term care facility is never an easy decision. However, culture, poor caregiver physical health, and complex emotions, grief and perceptions can complicate the decision. This post examines the ways in which these complications affect the decision to place the care recipient in long-term care.

Traditionally, family members have cared for elder family members. However, Western societies have been increasingly utilizing long-term care for elders. Culture plays a role in deciding to place an elder in long-term care because of the cultural expectations associated with the decision. In many Asian cultures, filial responsibility (the responsibility to provide care to loved ones at home) is expected (Ting & Woo, 2009). Anecdotally, this is the case with many members of Hispanic and African-American populations as well. However, filial responsibility can vary within cultures greatly. The decision to place a loved one in long-term care can be affected by the expectations and perceptions of the culture in which the caregiver and care recipient reside.

Caregivers are more likely to have depression, heart disease and diabetes than their non-caregiver counterparts (Family Caregiver Alliance, 2006). Caregivers report poor physical health more often than non-caregivers (Family Caregiver Alliance, 2006). The decision to place the care recipient in long-term care can be affected due to caregiver declining health.

Lastly, complex emotions, grief and perceptions can affect the decision to place in long-term care. Emotions such as guilt, anger, and shame are powerful. Grief, especially if complicated can serve to hinder the decision to place a loved one for long-term care. Further, the caregiver may perceive that the care recipient would not want to be in a long-term care facility or that they would somehow let down their family if they decide to use long-term care.

Caregivers would benefit from an intervention that helped to navigate difficult decision making such as placing the care recipient in long-term care. Ultimately, caregivers must be given tools and resources that guide their decision and have an outlet for complicated issues that may dissuade them from making the appropriate choice to place. Health educators are uniquely suited to provide decision-making tools and resources while improving physical health outcomes at the same time.

References:

Family Caregiver Alliance. (2006). Caregiver health: A population at risk. Retrieved from https://caregiver.org/caregiver-health

Ting, G., & Woo, J. (2009). Elder care: Is legislation of family responsibility the solution? Asian Journal of Gerontology & Geriatrics, 4, 72-75.