This week EJ talked to Dr. Nermine Morcos-Clark, an internal medicine physician and geriatrics specialist with Optum located in Laguna Hills. Dr. Morcos-Clark spoke to us about the importance of caregivers and shared some tips on how caregivers need to take the time to take care of themselves
Caregivers in America are often unsung heroes, taking on the responsibility of caring for another person while maintaining their own individual lives. During National Caregivers Month in November, and throughout the holiday season, caregivers are encouraged to prioritize their own health, in addition to those for whom they provide care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), caregivers provide care to people who need ongoing assistance with everyday tasks on a regular or daily basis. The recipients of this care can range from children to older adults, have chronic illnesses or disabling conditions or live in residential or institutional settings.
Family caregivers are extremely important, not only because of the care they provide, but also due to the rising number of older Americans in the country. Family caregivers are the backbone of long-term care provided in people’s homes. As this number increases, so will the number of caregivers needed to provide care. Currently there are seven potential family caregivers per adult, by 2030, there will only be four potential family caregivers per adult.
The future potential gap in caregiving is only one part of the equation. Research shows that the health of caregivers is greatly at risk. For example, in a 2020 report on caregiving in America conducted by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, caregivers reported physical, emotional and financial strain with 2 in 10 reporting they feel alone. One in four caregivers find it difficult to take care of their own health and a similar proportion report caregiving has made their own health worse.
This holiday season lets take care the people who care for us the rest of the year. And heathcare workers! Take some time to treat yourself!