CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson 303-810-1816
Email: Pamela@PamelaDWilson.com
Survey Link: https://pameladwilson.com/caregiver-survey-cf
Golden, Colorado – December 4, 2018, Wanted: Caregivers of aging parents and older adults to complete a survey about feelings of "caregiving overwhelm."
Caregivers responding to the survey will receive a FREE article based on their response to the survey and an invitation to attend a FREE live online caregiver support group hosted by Pamela D. Wilson.
"Caregiving survey responses will be used to develop the basis for a live online support group to begin late January 2019, confirms," Pamela D. Wilson, caregiving expert. "Gaps in support for caregivers are significant."
· Emotional stress, physical stress, managing time, financial burden, lack of information about diseases, feeling isolated/alone, and being hesitant or afraid to ask for help are top concerns of family caregivers in an online survey by the Alzheimer's Association fielded April 2017.
· Only 1 in 3 family caregivers (32%) reported that a doctor, nurse, or social worker had ever asked them what was needed to care for their relative. Only 16% of family caregivers said a health provider asked them what they needed to care for themselves (AARP Public Policy Institute and NAC).
The focus of the healthcare system is medical care and treatment sometimes denied to older adults because of age. An attitude of "ageism" exists with the assumption that "these things happen as we age" when being proactive about positive aging should be the norm.
Pamela's twenty years of direct care experience as a court-appointed guardian, medical power of attorney, and care manager confirm additional challenges:
· Bias by the healthcare system refusing to treat older adults viewed as disposable because of "having lived a full life" or those diagnosed with dementia viewed as "unrepairable".
· Caregivers designated as medical or financial power of attorney unaware of their legal responsibilities.
· Caregiver role uncertainty about monitoring care, communicating with healthcare professionals, and advocating for the care of a loved one.
· Caregivers report learning by trial and error and are fearful of making mistakes.
· Most, if not all, caregivers felt they had no choice but to accept the role of caregiver.
Because of the time pressure of caregiving, physically attending an in-person support group is difficult. Caregivers increasingly seek information and support online. A live online support group allows greater participant interaction and sharing.
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Pamela D. Wilson, MS, BS/BA, NCG, CSA, a National Certified Guardian and Certified Senior Advisor, is a caregiving thought leader, elder care expert, advocate, and speaker. Pamela offers family caregivers programming and support to navigate the challenges of providing, navigating, and planning for care. She guides professionals practicing in estate planning, elder and probate law, and financial planning to create plans to address unexpected concerns identified in her past role as a professional fiduciary. Healthcare professionals are supported by Pamela’s expertise to increase responsiveness and sensitivity to the extensive range of care challenges faced by care recipients and caregivers. Contact Pamela HERE