Give Caregivers a Break
As President of the Well Spouse Association, a group offering peer support to spousal caregivers, I wish to comment on the findings Dr. Cynthia Gries made about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affecting caregivers ["Depression, PTSD Common Among Lung Transplant Patient Caregivers," usnews.com].
Dr. Gries's study looked at caregivers of lung-transplant patients. It was not stated, but many of these would be spousal caregivers. I would add that, in our experience, PTSD affects long-term caregivers of people with many conditions. For example, WSA members are looking after spouses with MS, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson's, cancer, spinal cord injuries and many other conditions and disabilities. Many spouses do the caregiving for years on end. They feel like they are in a war against illness—and yes, depression and PTSD are common. One of the most important things that could be done right now, is for Congress to authorize 2008-2009 funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Act. Passed in Dec. 2006, this act has not yet been funded. Money would go to all states, to implement or improve on respite care facilities, that would allow caregivers to afford to take regular breaks, while being assured that their loved one was being given good care in the home or in a temporary institutional placement.
Richard Anderson
President
Well Spouse Association
Freehold, N.J.
Tools: 
Share
|
| Comments (3) | Print
Reader Comments
caregivers available indiana
Requesting Gravatar...
A Cut Above Home Help Care, is a Indiana-based home care agency that is willing and able to provide caregivers (CNAs and experienced) to elderly people in Indianapolis and its neighboring cities. We are managed by a Professionals and our Agency is LICENSED, BONDED and INSURED . Our caregivers undergo background checks and are eligible to work here in the US legally. Our philosophy is caring. Our goal is to maintain the dignity and independence of your loved ones. We create and maintain a family atmosphere. We are an independently owned non-medical Home Health Care Agency. We are committed to our clients and their assisted living needs. Our goal is to give dedicated health care assistance and support to our clients and to their families. We can provide home health care services to anyone in the Greater Indianapolis Area from 18 years of age to seniors and elders.
Our Mission
We help seniors to stay safe, secure, and happy in their own homes or. We provide “the possible” in home care and assisted living services at affordable prices. We become the “link” that organizes home care for your loved ones and provides peace of mind for you
.Respecting your Privacy
All information we receive about our clients and their families is kept strictly confidential. Many of our clients are referred to us through other organizations and societies. These may include physicians, social workers, government and home health agencies, trust companies, hospitals, guardians, and other clients.
Protecting our Clients and Their Families
We are bonded and insured. Selecting our caregivers includes a thorough screening and background check.
Cost and Guarantee
Our rates are reasonable and afford ably priced at only $13.95 per hour.
Our services are unconditionally guaranteed or your money will be refunded.
Families can save a lot if they let us provide them with our caregivers. Most companies start at $25 hourly. We want to save you and your loved one money. We also help the low income by charging only what they can afford which sometimes is only $8 hourly. We can assure you that we will respond appropriately to your needs and do our best to match the needs of your loves ones with our pool of well-qualified and trained caregivers.
At This Moment We Have A Two Week Waiting List.
You May Want To Call Right Away And Add Your Name To Our List,
So That You Will Not Have To Wait Longer Than That.
AS Our Waiting List Seems To Be Growing Longer Everyday, We Are Also Seeking More Professional individuals to Take Care Of Your Loved Ones.If You Or Someone You Know 50 Or Older Have Experience In This Field Please Give Us A Call.
You May Have To Leave A Message Because
Our Phones Are Always Ringing Especially With These Prices.
ACUTABOVEHOMEHELPCARE.COM
317-938-5047
Respite for caregivers
Ten years ago I had to leave my nursing job to care for my husband who is a 100% diabled vet. WIthout this move he would have had to be placed in a nursing home.
I am still on duty 24/7. He has outlived all prognosis many times over. Meanwhile I am now 61 and wearing out very fast. I have not had a day off in 10 years.
I am a member of the WSA and it is truly been a godsend to me. The support has been wonderful and it has made the last 2 years bearable.
With the implementation of the Lifespan Respite Care Act the tens of thousands of family caregivers could get a very much needed break. It was nearly impossible for me to take the time to have a much needed surgery 5 years ago.
We need a break. Please keep in mind of billions of dollars we have saved the taxpayer in keeping our loved ones home.
Give Caregivers a Break (Please)
As caregiver to a spouse who is a quad due to MS, I am also a member of the Well Spouse Association (www.wellspouse.org). I cannot say enough good things about Well Spouse! It is my lifeline ... my only lifeline. While I find peace and comfort for the future from God and my Church, only Well Spouse provides the unique emotional help and understanding so desperately needed here and now by partners of the chronically ill and disabled!
My husband is still able to drive himself to a full time office job in a van adapted to drive with hand controls from his power wheelchair. In addition to normal home maintenance and raising our family of four, we have had to make many expensive modifications to our home and our life for him to maintain employment while living at home.
We planned and saved carefully. We were not ruthless or extravagant with our money. We took only a few modest family vacations. Twenty-two years of this has been very expensive. The proverbial rainy day came much too soon. Our retirement savings have been wiped out and there is nothing left for help in our home to assist with showers, dressing, etc.
Our children have put themselves through college and moved away. I don’t know how long I will be able to continue doing this alone, as it is already extremely difficult due to my arthritis. But there is no escape. It’s no wonder so many of us “Well Spouses” suffer from depression and PTSD. Please support Congress in authorizing 2008-2009 funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Act that mentioned previously. Caregivers really do need a break to continue providing care that keeps the disabled integrated in society and out of government funded institutions!
advertisement
