Caregiving can be both rewarding and burdensome. Caring for a sick husband or a displaced grandchild is an opportunity to show your love and can be a rich and rewarding experience. But for some older women, caregiving also can be a burden and very stressful. Such burdens tend to be:
It is estimated that 25 million Americans provide care for loved ones who are chronically ill, disabled, or cannot function independently. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, 82 percent of these caregivers are female, with an average age of 57. Alzheimer's DiseaseMany older women say the major problem they face when caring for a spouse or loved one who is disabled or suffers from an age-related condition, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), is their need for constant medical care and supervision. Caregivers for people with AD or other kinds of dementia are particularly vulnerable to burnout. Women caregivers are prone to feeling stress and overwhelmed. They have more emotional and physical health problems, work-related problems, and financial strain than male caregivers. Caregiver StressIf you have any of the following symptoms, caregiving may be putting too much strain on you:
It is very important for you to take care of yourself. In the process, you'll become a better caregiver to your husband or other family member. Take the following steps to make YOUR health a priority:
Raising Children, AgainAnyone with children can tell you that raising them is a challenge. Grandparents have already met that challenge once with their own children, and many are called upon to meet it again with the next generation. But, with the second time around, parenting can be an even greater challenge due to their age and, sometimes, troubling circumstances surrounding the change in parental care. Most grandparents raising grandchildren are between 55 and 64, and almost 25 percent are over 65. Also, the growing numbers of grandparents raising grandchildren today are far more likely to be persons of color, living in poverty. The 2000 U.S. Census reported 4.5 million children living in grandparent-headed homes (a 30 percent increase from 1990). Why are grandparents raising so many U.S. children? According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP):
Grandmothers responsible for caring for or raising grandchildren suffer more stress and depression than grandmothers without those duties. These are older women who may have health needs of their own. So caring for a grandchild who may have health problems, developmental challenges, or an increased need for care creates more stress for these grandmothers. Age MattersThe age of the grandchildren can be a factor, too. Younger children are more physically demanding, but grandparents often have to expend more mental and emotional energy on older children. No matter how much you love your grandchildren and are willing or even eager to raise them, your life will change. Keep in mind these ideas:
Benefits Available
Public benefits available to grandparents and the children they raise vary from state-to-state. Benefits that may be available include:
Despite the problems that may come along for an older woman caregiver, for the most part, these women are willing caregivers even under extreme stress and at considerable sacrifice. Many older women say this role has had many positive effects on their lives. It makes them feel useful and capable. They are happy that they are making a difference in the life of a loved one. Current as of September 2007 |
This site is owned and maintained by the Office on Women's Health
in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
You may need to download a free PDF reader to view files marked with this icon.
Home | Site index | Contact us
Health Topics |
Tools |
Organizations |
Publications |
Statistics
| News | Calendar | Campaigns | Funding Opportunities
For the Media |
For Health Professionals |
For Spanish Speakers (Recursos en Español)
About Us |
Disclaimer |
Freedom of Information Act Requests |
Accessibility |
Privacy