Family caregivers for seniors are often rearing their own children simultaneously.

It is hard for many people to imagine their parents aging.

Parents are the ones who reared them and took care of them physically and emotionally as children.

These same loved ones who provided so much care and support will eventually require assistance.

That is just a fact of life.

According to a recent KIII TV article titled “Senior care providers give insight on worker fatigue, how it impacts their health,” adult children often become caregivers for their parents and in-laws.

Caregivers often neglect their own health as they support others.

About 41 million Americans are currently serving as caregivers role to a spouse, elderly parent, or other individual who struggles with the daily tasks of independent living.

Additionally, the AARP recently projected the Texas population of seniors age 65 and older will grow from 3.9 million to 5.6 million by 2030.

This is a significant figure because a Seniorly survey estimates Texas has about 4.9 percent of households being multi-generational and has a nursing care worker shortage.

Throughout COVID-19, the demands for caregivers with minor children only increased.

Many had both aging parents and children in the same households during the pandemic.

With stress negatively impacting the well-being of all populations, it is not surprising to hear how the health of caregivers suffered.

According to the Seniorly survey, there has been a rise in reports of poor health among family caregivers in the past six years.

The percentage rose from 12 percent to 21 percent.

Yikes!

For the current 54 million Americans age 65 or older, there is a 70 percent chance of requiring long-term care in the future.

In many cases, these long-term care duties will be fulfilled at home by a loved one as long as care can be provided outside of a nursing home setting.

To help the spouses, adult children, and other loved ones providing care, respite care may be an option.

What is respite care?

It allows for the ailing senior to receive care from an service outside of the family for times ranging from a couple hours to several days to a week.

This is just one example of services caregivers can use to take care of their own health and the needs of their children.

Attending trainings on managing stress can also benefit those providing care to loved ones.

Caregivers can start by researching programs in their community and reaching out to other loved ones for support.

Reference: KIII TV (March 29, 2022) “Senior care providers give insight on worker fatigue, how it impacts their health”