Modular cottages for caregiver’s backyard

I know people always ask me if I will move to my mom’s house if she ever needs constant care. My house is only 1100 sq feet and I have 5 dogs so having my elderly mom in the house would be a hazard. There may be a solution for those who have the funds. According to the Roanoke Times, a pastor came up with the idea of a modular backyard care home and a prototype is about ready. These cottages could be purchased or rented. These cottages will be produced by N2Care in Salem. The MedCottage is 12 by 24 feet and will eventually be outfitted specific to the needs of the person residing in the cottage. Check it out. This is an incredible idea and it could truly minimize caregiver stress.

Dog Days

I had a good day yesterday. One of the best since my aunt died. I drove 4 hours to agility lessons for my 2 younger dogs. We trained for 2 hours. The dogs did great. That made my month. But with the 15 lbs. I gained in my stomach while caregiving, I barely made it. I was huffing and puffing the whole time. Most of the 15 lbs. is in my stomach. Unless I tuck my shirt in no one can tell I gained the weight. Everyone that becomes a caregiver needs to make sure that they find ways to minimize the stress and frustration that comes naturally with the duties associated with primary caregiving. My doctor has told me that because I was so healthy prior to gaining the weight from stress that I should exercise and eat what I normally do. If I can’t seem to get it off, then I must go back and see him. He and I both know that I still have a mild case of depression but if I can pick myself up I will be OK. It makes me so sad to know that around 48 million people, according to the AARP Magazine (Dec2007), could be a victim because they gave of themselves.

Caregiver Stress Syndrome

For the last 3 months since my aunt died, I have been extremely fatigued, moody, and not interested in much except the dogs. I know that all the driving over the 8 months was stressful and made me stay awake for 24 hour stints sometimes 2-3 times a month besides my live-in caregiving. I am trained as a sport psychologist so I know that I have been mildly depressed. I also gained about 15 pounds in my midline which I also know can be due to cortisol from stress. My immune system has been compromised as I notice that the smallest of scratches is hard to heal. I did not eat well while caregiving and did not notice until the last few months that I was stressed. I never thought about my own health at the time. As long as I could stay focused, positive, and wakeful at night to listen for my aunt I just figured I would catch up on my sleep and relax whenever my role was done; however it might end. But that has not been the case. I am still fatigued and having a very difficult time losing the weight I gained because I don’t have the energy still to exercise. People need to realize that they could get chronically ill from caring for a family member if they don’t care for themselves. Weight gain can lead to diabetes, heart disease. Lack of sleep has horrible repercussions. I do believe that my inability to “just bounce back” is due a lot to the side effects of sleep deprivation. The information on caregiver stress discusses many of these issues. We are no good to anyone if we don’t care for ourselves. Some of us still have elderly parents that will eventually need caregiving and we must be prepared for that role. At least I have learned from experience that my health is equally as important as the family member that I will be caring for. I assume that this type of syndrome probably does not only affect family caregivers. I have spoken to social workers and they believe that many paid caregivers see their health deteriorate due to the responsibilities associated with long term caregiving. It makes me wonder if there should be a special caregiver health insurance because many people quit their jobs or don’t have jobs while they provide care to family members.

There is a debate going on as to whether the medical community should officially acknowledge this condition as Caregiver Stress Syndrome (CSS) as shown in the CNN link below.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/08/13/caregiver.syndrome/index.html

The National Women’s Health Information Center provides an excellent article on different aspects of Caregiver Stress:

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/caregiver.htm

If you know someone who is a primary family caregiver you should provide them with some information about the problems associated with lack of sleep, bad eating habits, prolonged stress, and lack of mental and physical stimulation. I found that I kept my mind busy with the DS Lite Brain Games. They were frustrating but kept me away from the TV and my emotionally draining thoughts.