Today, 80 percent of middle-aged couples have at least one living parent. As, many learn to adjust to reversing roles of child and parent, they confront demands of caring for those who once took care of them.
Adult daughters typically assume major responsibilities for parent care-giving. For most women, these duties are added to already full jobs, at home, at the office, or both. "Elder care has become a top problem in our society today, as it replaces child care as the number one issue for men and women, in today's work force" said Tamara Cobos-Mendez, President of Senior Helpers. "People are spending more time caring for, or providing for, the care of their elderly parents than ever for caring for their own children. The problem will only magnify with the aging of the population. This is especially true, when we take into consideration, the "baby boomers" born between 1946 and 1964, and the children of that population explosion turning 60, in the year 2006!
Women frequently sacrifice personal time, privacy, peace of mind, freedom and personal plans, to assist elderly parents. Some people assume responsibility because they feel able and willing. Others feel bound by duty. Still, others are feeling financial strain on benefits and budgets created, as larger numbers of "boomers" are retiring and needing elder care.
It's estimated that up to seven million women are unpaid caregivers to the elderly. They struggle to cope with exhaustion, loneliness, mental/physical demands, and heartbreak of watching a loved one grow even older. Many caretakers confess they feel guilty about asking for help, because it implies they are not living up to their responsibilities. Tamara Cobos-Mendez says "Helping caregivers realize they need help desperately, is part of the job, and a relief to those who finally agree!"
Caregivers should be carefully selected individuals who are thoroughly screened, bonded and insured and payment of taxes, workmen's compensation insurance, are necessary to make sure the client has nothing to worry about when asking for help.
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