1. Caregiving Through the Ages: Strategies, Resources, and Hope
Melanie M. Keller, MBA
IPMA-HR Montgomery County Past-President

2. Caregiving
“Caregiving is the act of providing unpaid assistance and support to family members or acquaintances who have physical, psychological, or developmental needs. Caring for others generally takes on three forms: instrumental, emotional, or informational.”
-Work and Family Researchers Network.

3. Caregiving Stats
More than 65 million people serve as caregivers today in America.
66% of caregivers identify as female
About 50% of caregivers live more than 11 hours from their loved one
Average age of caregiver’s = 50
Average age of recipient = 77
On average caregivers report spending hours per week giving care

4. Types of Caregiving
Instrumental Caregiving – the act of doing tasks for an infant, child, disabled or elderly person (bathing, feeding, shopping, cleaning, bills, etc.)
Emotional Caregiving – listening, counseling, or companionship
Informational Caregiving – learning how to alter their environment; providing information or advice
-Work and Family Researchers Network

5. Parenting vs. Caregiving
Parenting - the process of taking care of children until they are old enough to take care of themselves : the things that parents do to raise a child (Merriam-Webster)
Different, but share some similarities
A parent can become a caregiver at different times for their child(ren)

6. Parenting an Infant

7. Parenting a Toddler

8. Parenting a Child (5-12)

9. Parenting a Teenager (13-17)

10. Parenting a Young Adult (17-20+)

11. Pet Care

12. Grandparenting

13. Sick and Disabled Caregiving

14. Eldercaregiving

15. Grief and Loss

16. My Caregiving Journey

17. Parenting

18. Parenting

19. Parenting Transitions

20. Eldercare
Rest in Peace
Yvonne Thomas-Lutz

21. Grief and Loss

22. Addiction

23. Miracles

24. Par-Aunting

25. Parenting Transitions

26. Caregiving

27. Caregiving Strategies

28. Strategies Step 1: Start the Conversation Step 2: Form Your Team
“Caregiving. It is a marathon,
not a sprint.”
- AARP
Strategies
Step 1: Start the Conversation
Step 2: Form Your Team
Step 3: Make a Plan
Step 4: Find Support
Step 5: Care for Yourself
AARP Caregivers Guide (English/Spanish):
guide.html?cmp=RDRCT-PREPR2CR_JUL11_012

29. Strategies – Long Distance
Most caregivers live more than 11 hours from their loved one and tend to:
Hire help
Take more time off from work (often unpaid)
Pay for travel

30. Strategies – Long Distance
Start the discussion (finances)
Request access to information
Doctors, hospitals, insurance companies
Banks, utilities, etc.
Address legal issues
Know emergency basics
Spare keys
Alarms
Neighbor’s phone numbers

31. Strategies – Long Distance
Create your team (outreach, determine roles, keep a roster)
Find a local coordinator
Stay in the loop
Technology ( groups, video chat)
Be aware of doctor’s orders
Medication management
Find easy ways to coordinate - meal sign-ups

32. Strategies – Long Distance
Make the most of visits
Have fun – make memories
Don’t “rush” your time
Take photos
Look for signs of abuse
Note where new help is needed
Meet new services providers and check-in

33. Strategies – Taking Care of You
Caregiver’s Assessment
family/caregiving/?intcmp=FTR-LINKS-CRGVNG- CRC-EWHERE

34. Specialized Care Each type of caregiving is different
High-Risk Pregnancy
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Cancer
Aging
Grief and Loss
Temporary Disability
Permanent Disability

35. Resources AARP – Caregiving Caregiving.com
family/caregiving/?intcmp=FTR-LINKS-CRGVNG- CRC-EWHERE
Caregiving.com
Website with blogs, podcasts, videos, articles and resources.

36. Resources Family Caregiving Alliance National Caregivers Library
National Center on Caregiving, resources, events, blogs and information.
National Caregivers Library
Caregiving resources, tools, information, and guides.

37. Resources National Alliance for Caregivers National Institute on Aging
Non-profit that advances family caregiving through research, innovation, and advocacy
National Institute on Aging
Federal agency that conducts research on aging and provides information about aging and advances in research to the public, healthcare providers

38. The HR Professional
Inquire “I’ve noticed…” or “Is everything OK? Is there anything you want to share?”
Listen to gain perspective
Find the words to use to console or show compassion
Know procedures (performance, leave, conduct, etc.)
Offer resources (EAP, FMLA or leave programs, etc.

39. The HR Professional
Offer flexibilities (flexible hours or schedules, temporary telework, duty reduction, etc.
Document conversation and follow-up with an e- mail or other appropriate form
Check-in Frequently
Set clear boundaries and expectations

40. Caregiving and You
What resources do I need to access as a caregiver now?
What kind of caregiving roles may I play in the future?
Do I need to have discussions with my family on caregiving topics?
Who is my support network?
How can I take care of myself better?
As an HR professional – am I adequately informed and prepared?

41. Hope