Caregiving: The Costs, Concerns & Choices

Did you know that there are currently around 6 million people in Britain helping and supporting their family, partners or friends who are ill or disabled?

Caregiving, which can most often be unpaid, can cause an incredible impact on an individual’s life, whether it’s the person giving the care or receiving the care. This just shows that increasing the awareness surrounding caregiving is crucial for all parties, which is where the below infographic comes in, as it outlines the key costs, concerns and the options involved around caregiving.

Whether you’re a professional caregiver, friend or family caregiver, someone looking for advice on caregiving or someone in need of a carer, check out the below infographic by UKS Mobility and help spread the awareness of caregiving.

The infographic outlines what exactly caregiving involves, the financial and emotional costs which can impact an individual, some key concerns and myths, how to find the right caregiver, as well as depicting the various options regarding caregiving.

Caregiving Costs Concerns and Choices

Caregiving Costs Concerns and Choices

700,000 reasons to support Young Carers Awareness Day 2016

This blog post has been corrected and updated

Young Carers Awareness Day is taking place on 28th January this year.

Many of us act as caregivers to children and adults with both acute and chronic medical conditions.

But we often forget that the burden of providing unpaid care falls on the shoulders of young people under the age of 18. Indeed there are 700,000 alone in the UK according to Carers Trust the British leading caregiver organization.

So you can see why we are asking for your support for Young Carers Awareness Day. Indeed they are running a social media campaign so you can spread the news that Young Carers Awareness Day is taking place on 28th Jan by signing up to the Thunderclap here. Please also can you share the Carers Trust poster below.

Young Carers Awareness Day

Young Carers Awareness Day

Young Carers Awareness Day

Young Carers Awareness Day

Young Carers Awareness Day

Young Carers Awareness Day

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Toolkit – some great ideas for caregivers of people with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Toolkit – some great ideas for caregivers of people with dementia.

Please like and share this brilliant and informative infographic!


Dementia Toolkit

From Visually.

Xavier University if looking for female caregivers of children with autism for some online research.


Xavier University Autism Research

Xavier University Autism Research

It seems that these days I am writing an introduction to a blog post like this. As I nearly always explain one of the main objectives of this blog is to promote academic research into autism. Not surprising since I sent 20 years in market research and have a son with ASD.

In this case Emily Schreiber , a doctoral student at Xavier University, is conducting some research with female caregivers of children with ASD. The survey is online and lasts around 30 minutes. If toy do complete the study you will be entered into a prize draw for a $50 Walmart voucher!

Of course giving this information is voluntary. No identifying information will be linked to your responses if you have any concerns.

Schreiber shared  ” Are you a female caregiver of a child with autism? We need to hear about your experience!

We are conducting a study about social support experienced by mothers raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Participation in this study will be anonymous and will be of no risk or benefit to you.”

Please click on the following link ato take part in the sudy

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6W2FDCY

If you have any queries Ms Schreiber can be contacted at schreibere@xavier.edu.

Thanks very much for your interest in advance!


 

National Family Caregivers Month – Read the Presidential Proclamation and share the awareness graphic #CareComesHome


National Family Caregivers Month from the Caregiver Action Network

National Family Caregivers Month from the Caregiver Action Network

As the parent of a child with autism I am delighted to help promote National Family Caregivers Month. The best way, I feel, to do so is to share with you the wonderful proclamation given by the President of the United Sates to mark the month.

It reads

“Each day, courageous individuals step forward to help care for family members in need, their quiet acts of selflessness and sacrifice telling a story of love and devotion. Across our country, parents and children, siblings and spouses, friends and neighbors heroically give of themselves to support those in their lives affected by illness, injury, or disability. During National Family Caregivers Month, we salute the people who play difficult and exhausting roles, and we recommit to lifting up these Americans as they care for their loved ones while protecting their dignity and individuality.

In the United States, more than 60 million caregivers provide invaluable strength and assistance to their family members, and as the number of older Americans rises, so will the number of caregivers. Many of these dedicated people work full time and raise children of their own while also caring for the needs of their loved ones. Caregivers support the independence of their family members and enable them to more fully participate in their communities, and as a Nation, we have an obligation to empower these selfless individuals.

My Administration continues to work to improve many of the resources on which caregivers depend. The Affordable Care Act invested in programs that expand home and community-based services. To lift up a new generation of service members — our 9/11 Generation — we are fighting to ensure those who care for them have access to the support they need, including financial assistance, comprehensive caregiver training, mental health services and counseling, and respite care. Many caregivers rely on workplace flexibility and reasonable accommodations, and this year my Administration held the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families to develop a comprehensive agenda that ensures hard-working Americans do not have to choose between being productive employees and responsible family members. And next year, we will host the White House Conference on Aging, which will focus on the needs of older Americans and those who care for them.

Not only this month, but every month, let us work alongside our Nation’s caregivers and make certain they are able to provide the best possible care for their loved ones for as long as necessary. Together, we recognize those who place service above self, including the women and men looking after our veterans. By offering them the same comfort, social engagement, and stability they bring to others, may we remind them that they are not alone.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2014 as National Family Caregivers Month. I encourage all Americans to pay tribute to those who provide for the health and well-being of their family members, friends, and neighbors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA”


As you can see we have used a graphic from the great the National Alliance for Caregiving. You can check out their great site here It would be great if you could share with your freinds and family to raise the profile of National Family Caregivers Month. They also ask if you could use this hashtag in your tweets and promotions #CareComesHome.