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For Immediate Release
May 1, 2007

For more information:
Erin Weller
(212) 308-1414 x 329

Caring for Mom (and Dad): Mothers' Day Advice, from the American Geriatrics Society, on Avoiding Burnout While Caring For An Older Loved One

As many as 44 million Americans care for their aging mothers, fathers, in-laws and other older loved ones, and that number is rising rapidly. The level of care older relatives need can range from occasional assistance with chores to round-the-clock care, and often increases over time.

Caring for an older loved one can be one of life's most rewarding experiences, but at times, can be stressful and frustrating as well, especially when an older relative has dementia or needs continuous care. Sometimes, the stress and frustration can lead to "caregiver burnout."

To avoid caregiver burnout, it's important to get help before caregiving becomes overwhelming. To help caregivers care for both their loved ones and themselves, the American Geriatrics Society's Foundation for Health and Aging has released a comprehensive and easy-to-understand tip sheet, "Caring for Mom and Dad: How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout."

"Increasingly, Americans are becoming caregivers to their aging loved ones," says Jan Busby-Whitehead, a member of the Foundation for Health in Aging's Board and Chair of the AGS Public Education Committee. "It's important that people taking on the role of caregiver understand what they should do to maintain their own physical and emotional health in the process."

The tip sheet, at http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/tipsheet_caregiver.pdf, offers advice on planning for older loved ones' changing care needs; making simple home modifications that make caregiving easier; working with older family members' healthcare providers; asking friends and other family for assistance with caregiving; and taking advantage of the wide range of community services available to older adults and their caregivers. The tip sheet includes a comprehensive section on finding and working with community agencies offering such services.

ABOUT THE AGS

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (www.americangeriatrics.org) is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people. The Society supports this mission through activities in clinical practice, professional and public education, research, and public policy. With an active membership of over 6,700 health care professionals, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies, and practices in geriatric medicine.

ABOUT THE FHA

In 1999, the American Geriatrics Society reached beyond its traditional role as a professional medical society and launched the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA). The FHA aims to build a bridge between geriatrics health care professionals and the public, and advocate on behalf of older adults and their special needs: wellness and preventive care, self-responsibility and independence, and connections to family and community. The FHA champions initiatives in public education, clinical research, and public policy that advance the principles and practice of geriatrics medicine; educate policy makers and the public on the health care needs and concerns of older adults; support aging research that reduces disability and frailty, and improves quality of life and health outcomes; encourage older adults to be effective advocates for their own health care; and help family members and caregivers take better care of their older loved ones and themselves.