Caregiver Burnout

[Bo Shoi Ming]

Last week I visited good friends of ours. :redbeathe The lady fell three years ago and is a quadraplegic. Her husband has been doing all the caregiving 24/7/365 except for two 4 hour breaks a week when a nurse comes in to check her.

After seeing him last week for the first time in a year I'm just as concerned about his health as hers. Neither one of them are very big and both in their 50's. We love them both dearly and they are in a tragic situation.

I don't have a solution to his burnout problem--do you?? We do pray for them both every evening.

Thanks,

Bo

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

Have him to contact your local Area Agency on Aging regarding information about and eligibility for Community-Based Services:

http://www.n4a.org/answers-on-aging/

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

Here is another useful link: http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare/Public/Home.asp

[Bo Shoi Ming]

Thanks for the advice--I forwarded it today along with a note to check for bed sores as I know they are difficult to heal.

Bo

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

If she does have bedsores, encourage him to have her evaluated by her physician and ask for a referral for Home Health skilled nursing and aides. This way he can at least get some in-home help until she is approved for Community Care, which can take several weeks. We have several Clients who are utilizing both services under Medicare and Medicaid, which helps their families out a great deal.