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Below are 10 informational modules to challenge and inform your Caregiver IQ. Many end with questionnaire or print resources.

Module 1. Recognizing the Myths of Aging

Quick Facts

By the year 2030...

  • all of the baby boomers will have reached age 65.
  • the number of older Americans is expected to reach 71 million.
  • older Americans will account for roughly 20% of the population.

 
Module 2. Fostering Successful Aging

Quick Facts

Successful aging consists of three major factors:

  1. avoiding disease by adopting a prevention orientation;
  2. engaging in life by continuing social involvement; and
  3. maintaining high cognitive and physical functioning.

 
Module 3. Engaging in Consumer-Directed Community Care

Quick Facts

In 1997 estimates using national survey data indicated that there were 27.6 million informal caregivers providing about 17.9 average hours of care per week (Arno, Levine, & Memmott, 1999). If these caregivers had been paid $8.18 per hour for their services, a rate falling between the minimum wage ($5.15/hr) and the national hourly rate for home health aids ($11.20/hr) for that year, the economic value of their services would have been about $196 billion.

 
Module 4. Balancing Work and Caregiving

Quick Facts

According to a MetLife report in 1999, sixty-two percent (62%) of caregivers surveyed reported asking someone at work—supervisors, coworkers or management—for support or help around their caregiving responsibilities.

 
Module 5. Balancing Caregiver Stress and Rewards

Quick Facts

The number one caregiver support service provided by publicly funded US programs in 2004 was Respite Care. Information & Assistance was number two.

 
Module 6. Professional Assessments and Caregiver Resources

Quick Facts

In addition to lay persons and medical doctors, a number of professionals may be resources for caregiving; including Geriatric Care Managers, Geriatricians, Gerontologists, Nurses, Nutritionists, and Social Workers.

 
Module 7. Addressing Family Concerns and Differences

Quick Facts

Tough discussions about medical concerns and finances may be handled best by...

  • asking your relative for his/her advice,
  • listening carefully, and
  • beginning with your own concerns.

 
Module 8. Watching for Health Issues

Quick Facts

Better than seven in 10 caregivers (71%) report that their care recipient’s illness or condition is long-term or chronic in nature.

 
Module 9. Being Alert to Mental Health and Cognitive Concerns

Quick Facts

Only about 10% of older people who need treatment for their depression, and who could benefit from treatment, actually receives it.

 
M odule 10. Exploring Different Living Arrangements

Quick Facts

In 1997 ...

  • only 4% of the older population was in nursing homes, while 60% were living independently and alone.
  • AARP and the National Alliance of Caregivers reported that one-fifth of care recipients lived in the same household as their caregiver.

 
Final Quiz

Quick Facts

According to National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (1996), there are 22.4 million caregiving households nationwide.

 
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More Quick Facts
The Family and Medical Leave Act, enacted in August, 1993, entitles an eligible worker to unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks a year, either at one time or intermittently, to care for the employee’s seriously ill parent, without loss of job security or health benefits.
Caregivers typically live in close proximity to the care recipient. A NAC/AARP survey reports that 20% share a household and another 55% live less than 20 minutes from the care recipient. A decision to co-reside is often related to the elder’s need for care. If there is a choice, the adult child who lives close by and has few competing responsibilities (not employed, not married, few or no children) is the likely candidate.
People age 65 and older make up 13% of the U. S. population, yet they account for 34% of all prescription medications and 30% of all nonprescription medications.

A study conducted by AARP and the National Alliance of Caregivers in 1997 concluded that a high percentage of caregivers use positive words to describe their feelings about caregiving.