Caregiver Workshop Helps County Area Families Avoid the Dangers of Distress

Curves of Jefferson Township has partnered with HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE who will present a special workshop open to the public on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, 7pm – 8pm. This workshop
is free to the public so please reserve your spot in advance. We will be having our complementary session at Curves of Jefferson, 5 Bowling Green Pkwy. Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Please RSVP by phone
or email to: 973-663-4433 or Curvesjtown@aol.com.

Nearly one-third of adults living Morris County are family caregivers who could be at risk for heart disease, diabetes, depression and various other physical and emotional maladies as a result of caregiver distress, a potentially dangerous condition brought on by the pressures of caring for a senior loved one.
Studies increasingly point to caregiving as a leading stressor for families. In fact, one U.S. study revealed that more than half (52.8%) of those caring for individuals with diseases including cancer or Alzheimer’s had scores indicating depression.*
Included in workshop are two new tools: The Are You a Caregiver Quiz, which is designed to help a family caregiver self-identify and recognize the role of a caregiver, and the
Family Caregiver Distress Assessment, adapted for the Home Instead Senior Care network by Dr. Peter Vitaliano of the University of Washington. The assessment allows caregivers to determine
their risk for distress and resulting emotional and physical issues, including depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
“So many spouses and adult children are unaware of their potential risk of caregiver distress because they don’t see themselves as caregivers,” said Andrea Sussman, owner of the
Home Instead Senior Care office serving Morris County. “These new resources enable them to understand their role, the stresses they may face as a caregiver, and how that stress might lead to
more serious health effects.”
A recent Home Instead Senior Care study discovered that caregivers are prone to hiding their emotions and, as a result, their health suffers. Approximately 74 percent of caregivers who hide their feelings
report fatigue, 53 percent report difficulty sleeping, 37 percent report depression, and 30 percent weight gain or loss.
Research shows that certain characteristics make family caregivers more vulnerable to caregiver distress, the top being:

• Gender: Women report more psychological distress than men (however, male caregivers have more negative physiological responses to caregiving, including higher blood sugar and insulin levels, poorer cholesterol and immune function, and obesity).
  
• Reluctance to ask for help: Caregivers who won’t ask for help are setting themselves up for the kind of exhaustion that can lead to distress.

• Chronic Illness: Caregivers who are already sick or have existing medical conditions, such as coronary disease, hypertension and cancer, are more vulnerable to additional negative health effects resulting from caregiver stress.

“It’s important for caregivers to understand that stress can impact one’s ability to care. If they don’t care for themselves, they may put their senior loved ones at risk. Whether it’s support groups, stress management techniques or respite help, caregivers need to realize the importance of managing their health, too,” said Sussman.

To reserve your spot for the workshop call 973-663-4433, email: CurvesJtown@aol.com.