Grant Abrams

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Caregivers’ Views Related to Stage of Loved One’s Illness and Whether Caregiver Had a Choice in Assuming Responsibility   (from www.caregiving.org)

WASHINGTON, DC, March 31, 2011— One-half of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia surveyed for a new caregiver study find an equal balance of positive and negative experiences in their caregiving.  One-third (33 percent) say their caregiving experience is more positive than negative.

The 2011 report, “Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia,” which was presented at a briefing on Capitol Hill today, examines both positive and negative feelings associated with caregiving for individuals with progressive deterioration of their abilities and faculties.  Conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and sponsored by Pfizer Inc., the study found that:

• Two out of three caregivers feel that caring for their loved one gives them the opportunity to “give back” (65 percent)
• Nearly one-half of caregivers feel they now have a closer personal relationship with the person to whom they provide care (46 percent)
• More than four in 10 feel they now live more “in the moment” than they did before (44 percent)

When asked how they have been changed by their caregiving experience, 67 percent are more grateful, 60 percent are more accepting, 56 percent are more patient and 51 percent are more assertive.

Emotional stress appeared as one of the prevalent negative feelings associated with caregiving.  In fact, 61 percent of caregivers reported feeling highly stressed.  Forty (40) percent indicated feelings of guilt that they were not doing more to help their loved one and 39 percent reported anger with themselves for becoming frustrated with their loved one.

When looking at the initial signs of the disease, the study found that nine of 10 caregivers observed events and situations that led them to believe their loved one probably had Alzheimer’s or dementia.  Only three in 10 say a doctor’s examination or questioning was one of the events that initially contributed to their thought that Alzheimer’s or dementia was present (31 percent).

“I think that it’s revealing that 70 percent of family caregivers recognized the symptoms of Alzheimer’s on their own, without a doctor’s questioning,” says Gail Hunt, CEO and president of the National Alliance for Caregiving.  “This shows me that the public is beginning to understand the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Primary care physicians may need more education to help in screening older patients.”

The study looked at the care recipients’ condition, diagnosis of the illness, actions taken and information sources used, the impact of the caregiving situation, profiles of caregivers and background on the caregiving situation.  Results found that caregivers’ views of their situations were related to two factors:  the stage of their loved one’s illness and the choice they felt they had in assuming their caregiver role.

“Patients with dementia rely on caregivers every day,” says Warachal Faison, Pfizer’s Director of Primary Care Medical Affairs.  “It’s imperative that we support these caregivers, so they can balance their work and the needs of their loved ones.  As the number of dementia patients grows, we need to be attentive to family caregivers who are making significant sacrifices for the good of others.”

The “Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia 2011” report is based on a quantitative survey of 1,000 family caregivers, age 18 or older, who provide unpaid care to an individual with Alzheimer’s, dementia or age-related mental confusion or forgetfulness.  Respondents were screened to ensure their care recipient was at least 40 years old.  The on-line questionnaire was fielded from September 14 to September 27, 2010.

About the National Alliance for Caregiving

Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on issues of family caregiving. The Alliance was created to conduct research, do policy analysis, develop national programs, and increase public awareness of family caregiving issues. Recognizing that family caregivers make important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those for whom they care, the Alliance’s mission is to be the objective national resource on family caregiving with the goal of improving the quality of life for families and care recipients. For more information, visit www.caregiving.org

I really like Judith Schutz’s posts. They are down to earth, question the nature of accepted beliefs, and stimulate thought. You can find her articles, including the one above at her suite101 profile.

Treating cancer with Energy Healing. Interview with Bill Bengston.

A very sane approach is advocated by Bill Bengston. This is worth a watch for anyone even remotely (no pun intended) interested in the subject.

Treating cancer with Energy Healing (including the Bengston Method): Bill Bengston interview with Michall Jeffers .

This is taken from a very informative blog: bioenergy and cancer.

This is a pretty good website that we’ll be adding to our links page shortly:

http://www.agingcare.com/

From our friends at Caregiving.org:

Dorland Health will host the first Leadership Summit on May 11, 2011 in Washington DC at the National Press Club for members of the care coordination team to facilitate a cohesive bond between professionals who make up the care coordination team through active learning and networking and sharing. The Leadership Summit brings together case/care managers, medical directors, clinical nurses, social workers, behavioral, rehabilitation and other leaders responsible for care coordination, patient and family education and empowerment, and transitions of care– to learn, network and share strategies they will take back to their individual organizations to enhance their programs as well as add to their own professional development.

The Leadership Summit will convene a faculty at the center of healthcare innovations who will share information on the power of collaboration, share new tools that will aid providers in delivering care that is based on evidence, and introduce cutting-edge technologies that are in many ways redefining and enhancing the way care is being delivered to meet the individual healthcare needs of consumers.

The morning of the Leadership Summit will open with a keynote presentation from Richard Bankowitz, MD, the chief medical officer of one of the largest healthcare alliances in the country, representing more than 2,500 hospitals and 72,000 other healthcare sites. Dr. Bankowitz’s unique insight will provide the audience with an unparalleled look into how the highest-performing healthcare systems are improving care while containing healthcare costs. The afternoon keynote offers a glimpse into one of the most incisive healthcare policy groups in the nation. Deborah Trautman, executive director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Policy and Healthcare Transformation, will offer a bird’s-eye view of the intricate world of health policy – and the leadership qualities members of the care coordination team need to possess to influence health policy.

A morning time slot is set aside for faculty and peers to brainstorm and share ideas on pressing, every day challenges leaders share that impact productivity and outcomes that demonstrate the value their teams bring to the industry.

Dorland Health’s Leadership Summit has applied for continuing education credits for nurses, case/care managers, disability professionals, social workers and behavioral health professionals. For more information on Dorland Health’s Leadership Summit: Where the Best Minds in Care Management Meet go to www.dorlandhealth.com/leadership-summit.

For questions, contact: Kim Luna at kluna@accessintel.com or Anne Llewellyn at allewellyn@accessintel.com

GWish News and Events

From our friends at GWish:

SUMMER INSTITUTE: Interprofessional Spiritual Care Focus of
2011 Summer Institute, July 25-29

Interprofessional spiritual care—the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients’ spiritual needs in the context of their physical and emotional needs—is the focus of the 3rd annual Spirituality and Health Care Summer Institute sponsored by the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish).

Participants work in small interprofessional groups to learn about and practice taking a spiritual history or assessment, and then work together to diagnose spiritual distress and develop treatment plans for cases presented with standardized patients. Participants also explore the role of their own spirituality in the context of their call to serve and patient relationships. The integration of spiritual care in outpatient and inpatient clinical settings is addressed with implementation models for clinical settings.

Community

Physicians, chaplains, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, administrators, educators—everyone working for a better healthcare environment for patients, families, and one another.

GWish News and Events

Every once in a while we stumble upon a site that honestly reflects the nature and intentions of the person behind it. At the same time it may even give us some worthwhile resources. This is a good combination! So www.a-good-dying.com is worth checking out. You will find something there and it is the good energy and compassionate intention of Ulla Mentzel, M.A