Did you know that America Is Running Out of Family Caregivers, Just When It Needs Them Most?

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5 answers

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The United States of America does not have a problem if you compare it to what China is having to deal with today.

Ben Carpenetti, FACHE, FHIMSS, MBA, LSSMBB
69 months ago
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I believe we have to look at the problems that have decreased caregivers. The pay is low, they are disrespected by patients, the family and even their bosses. I have always defended caregivers because I have seen the problem head on . They will c/o of sexual abuse but the companies keep sending them back. They are not well paid. They are alone with the patient or the patients family who sometimes a use them and if they complain the family dynamic worsens in the home. Many want them to do more than they are supposed to and many will do it to keep their job (because they need a job). In addition, now with the budget cuts, many are put in jobs for 2 hours and spend almost that time traveling to the patient. How can we make it better so that their job gets better?

Alicia Schwartz
65 months ago
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One potential answer to the question of reduced healthcare providers is to provide better access to tools and training for family members to supplement the healthcare needs of their loved ones. Also, the costs of training, providing diagnostic monitoring and significant improvement in record keeping of changes in healthcare status and medication administration will increase the ability of a patient to be served in their own home environment. Add to that home automation and the increased use of technology for patient monitoring, and the need for caregivers will be changed.

Telemedicine, remote monitoring, improved communications visually will continue to improve the overall in-home healthcare delivery for the next few years. The option of utilizing family members through the harnessing of technology, tools, and training, holds the promise of higher quality of life care for the patients who need it most.

A wave of need will be upon us if we do not figure out how to grapple with the home healthcare requirements brought on by increases in dementia, and with the emergence of additional treatment methods for patients. That need requires a concerted and coordinated efforts across many disciplines, and across all potential healthcare caregivers, both in the home and externally. Breakthroughs in vaccines, CRISPR and other new drug treatments will reduce the burden of caring for those afflicted with various dementia and stroke related conditions.

Sandy Waters
65 months ago
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Now if we are talking about family then this is understandable. It has nothing to do with education. It has to do on the responsibilities the family has. Working families need to work. Coming home to take care of a family member with dementia is stressful. They don't have a break! If the family member is awake all night then the job and the family member suffers more stress. What can we do? Individuals have to work until the age of 65-67 years old, Some family do take the responsibility of caring for a family member but those are the ones that don't work. Those we can educate as there are ways they can find relief but for those that work it can be extremely stressful. How can we reduce this stress and help caregivers that work all day?

Alicia Schwartz
65 months ago
I agree it is not just education, but commitment to take on the burden. The education part expands the potential pool of caregivers beyond just family members, possibly through a community care organization that can utilize the available technologies for monitoring and tracking the elderly loved one. - Sandy 65 months ago
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We probably should mention that availability of care facilities varies considerably from state to state, as does the regulation and certification of those facilities. It is curious to note that it is possible to locate facilities that are affordable, but likely not in the area where the family lives. For example, in assisted living facilities there is a wide range of costs from one state to another. If a few states the cost of using the facilities is lower than trying to sustain a loved one in their own home with in-home caregivers that are not family members.

There needs to be a more careful consideration of the options and costs for the options especially if planning for the future situations. As we age, we often fail to plan for the eventuality of needing additional care from some source on an ongoing if not increasing basis, up to and including continuous medical monitoring which can only take some of the needs into account.

Sandy Waters
65 months ago

Have some input?