DHSS Press Release |
Date: November 12, 2004 DHSS-127-2004 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Sharon Roat Phone: (302) 235-5591 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"SHARE THE CARING" IS THEME OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH
November initiative encourages friends, neighbors, coworkers to lend a helping hand
More than 130,000 Delawareans are serving as caregivers - tending to the needs of a grandchild or an elderly, disabled or chronically ill family member - and they need your help!
CARE Delaware, a program of the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), is celebrating National Family Caregivers Month this November with a "Share the Caring" initiative and a Family Caregiver of the Year contest.
"One out of four people in Delaware is caring for an elderly spouse or parent, a disabled or chronically ill family member, or a grandchild, and this responsibility can place an incredible burden on them emotionally, physically and financially," said Allan Zaback, director of DSAAPD. "We are asking neighbors, friends, coworkers, and other family members to pitch in and share the caring. Rake the leaves, bring a meal, run some errands, or fill in for a few hours to give the caregiver a much-needed break."
Who is a caregiver? According to the National Family Caregivers Association, more than 50 million people provide some level of caregiving services to a family member each year. In Delaware, nearly 25 percent of residents or 130,000 people are serving as caregivers. A family caregiver is defined as someone who cares for a chronically ill, disabled or elderly loved one. In Delaware, there are also more than 7,200 grandparents who are responsible for meeting the basic needs of their grandchildren. Caregiving is no longer considered only a women's task, as 4 out of 10 caregivers today are men. The average age of caregivers is 44.
What services do caregivers provide? Today, family caregivers support the health care system by providing more than 80 percent of all homecare services. Forty-six percent provide some level of nursing support, including wound and medication management, and 52 percent help with the activities of daily living, such as dressing and toileting. The knowledge and skills required for caregiving can include everything from safety, germ control and nutrition to body mechanics, hygiene and wheelchair use. Family caregivers also act as advocates for their loved ones, communicating with doctors, insurance companies, Medicare and others.
How much time is spent on caregiving? More than half of all caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care or more per week. As a recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) showed, this level of responsibility can make it challenging to balance work and family. Sixty percent of caregivers who work go to work late, leave early or take time off for caregiving; 15 percent have taken a leave of absence; and 10 percent have gone from full-time to part-time work.
"Caregiving is an important and time-consuming role that many people take for granted until they need that help themselves," said Zaback. "Many people don't even realize that they are caregivers, because the responsibilities have increased gradually. Or they've just never stopped to realize how much time they give to caring for someone, because it is done out of love and affection."
Family Caregiver of the Year Award
In addition to encouraging Delawareans to "Share the Caring" by lending a helping hand to a caregiver, the CARE Delaware program will also award a Family Caregiver of the Year Award at the end of the month. Delawareans are invited to nominate caregivers who have provided excellent care to a loved one while also taking good care of themselves.
"Self-care is an important aspect of caregiving. You can't afford to wear yourself out and jeopardize your own health. You have to take that time to care for yourself as well," Zaback noted.
Nominations for the Family Caregiver of the Year Award must be submitted by noon on November 19. The winner will be honored at an awards ceremony at 11 a.m. on November 22 in the rotunda of the Delaware Health and Social Services administrative building on the Herman M. Holloway , Sr. Campus on North Du Pont Highway in New Castle. To nominate a caregiver for the award, call the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities at 1-800-223-9074.
Help is Available
CARE Delaware (Caregiver-Assistance-Respite-Education) offers respite programs, resource centers, caregiving workshops, one-on-one assistance and access to national resources for caregivers. For more information about CARE Delaware's services, call the Delaware Helpline at (800) 464-HELP, or visit the DSAAPD website at www.dsaapd.com
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
