In preparation for Halloween, I felt it was time to show that caregiving for an older loved one does not have to be something scary like Freddy or Zombies or Clowns (yes – like Carrie Bradshaw I’m one of those people who are really terrified of clowns).

In order to have some fun, I have taken the characters from the popular book and movie, The Wizard of Oz to help us face both the “tricks” and “treats” of caregiving.

With a little planning for your caregiving journey down this yellow brick road,  you can avoid looking like the Wicked Witch of the West (green pallor, bad teeth, scraggly hair) and maybe more like Glenda, the Good Witch (radiantly glowing skin, happy, white smile in a sparkly dress and tiara!).

Like Dorothy – we fall into caregiving without any preparation or planning.

The first “trick” of caregiving is that we are sometimes suddenly thrust into this new world – there is no map, no guide, and you’re faced with endless decisions (Which path do you take when there is a fork in the road?  How far is Emerald City?  And, who are these flying monkeys and singing munchkins?)

Trick – caregivers are twice as likely as the general population to develop multiple chronic illnesses – such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s or asthma – earlier in life!  Yikes!  Here are what studies show happens to caregivers:

• 85% of caregivers who report their health is in decline because of caregiving are WOMEN.
• 91% of caregivers who say their health has suffered report DEPRESSION.
• 72% of caregivers ignore their own doctor appointments.
• 22% of women are missing their annual mammograms because they cannot find time in their caregiving schedule.

Treat – don’t neglect your own health & wellness needs.   Keep your own doctor appointments, get your flu shot, ensure you have annual exams like mammograms.  How?  Well, get another family member or friend to relieve you in your caregiving duties so you don’t cancel.  This will keep you healthy so you can continue caring for your loved one.

Like the Tin Man – we need a strong heart to keep up with caregiving responsibilities.

In talking with numerous caregivers through the years, they all say they are exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed – BUT – they do this willingly because caregiving is a “labor of love.”  In order to avoid burn-out, caregivers have to open their hearts to receiving help.

Trick – Stress is the #1 issue for caregivers and we know stress can lead to higher blood pressure which can lead to a variety of increased health risks such as hypertension, stroke and heart disease.  Are you stressed out?  Take the American Medical Association’s Caregiver Stress Test and find out.

Treat – Keep your heart healthy by allowing others to help you.  Have your list ready when friends or family ask how they can help.  You can also start (or have someone start for you) an online community where friends and family can volunteer to help you out – check out one of my favorites –  Lotsa Helping Hands.

Like the Scarecrow, we need brainpower to navigate the complex world of caregiving.

Caregiving can not only be a full-time job but you have to become an expert at elder care issues, navigating Medicare or Medicaid, transportation, housing, etc.

Trick – Caregiving can become a part or full-time job and can be a long journey.  Consider that:

• 73% of caregivers spend up to 20 hours a week caregiving
• 12% of caregivers spend 40 hours a week caregiving
• The average caregiving duration is a little over 4 years (31% have been caregiving for 5 years or more)

Treat – If you have access to a professional care manager through your employer’s work life benefits, use this expert to help you navigate all your options.  Just like you’d turn to an accountant to do your taxes or a lawyer to represent you in court, professional care managers are experts at elder care.  If you don’t have this kind of support through your employer o you are unemployed, you can check the Professional Geriatric Care Manager site for an expert near you or your loved one.

Like the Cowardly Lion – we have to be brave and have courage.

Caregiving can sometimes be a journey of fear.  Fear of what is around the corner or down that yellow brick road.  Fear that you are going bankrupt caring for your loved one.  Fear that your own health is suffering.  Fear that your social life, your family life, your work life is in free-fall.  Don’t surrender yet, Dorothy.

Trick – Consider the following pitfalls of caregiving:

• 47% of caregivers are using all or most of their savings to cover care-related costs
• 33% of caregivers are taking on longer work hours or a second job during this economic downturn to cover caregiving costs
• 48% of working caregivers feel less comfortable asking their employer for time-off for caregiving since the recession began
• 10% of caregivers misuse alcohol or prescription drugs to cope with their stress

Treat – There are ways to save on caregiving costs.  Check out the Elder Care Locator for low or no-cost elder care services in your area.  Some Medicaid plans cover transportation and respite care costs, you can find those at the “Ask Medicare” site.  There are numerous volunteer transportation services for seniors, you can find these at the National Center for Senior Transportation.  Finding ways to save on costs will help you save on some of the stress you’re feeling.

Photo credit: Vicki France/Dreamstime

There’s No Place Like Home.

We know that before the economic downturn, 24 percent of caregivers lived with their loved one.  Since this February, a National Alliance for Caregiving survey showed a 20 percent increase in co-residency.  On the flip side, 15 percent of caregivers live long-distance – more than 1 hour away.

Whether you live near or far, understanding your loved one’s wishes for where and how they want to live out their “golden years’ is an essential part of caregiving.

We all know there really is no place like home.  Make sure you have the conversation with your loved one so that you can plan ahead for what living accommodations will work for both of you. (check out my “C-A-R-E Conversation Tip” for help).

Hopefully, caregiving will seem a little less scary if you know what you are facing.  By following these “treats” you’ll be singing “we’re out of the woods” soon.  It may not be as easy as clicking your heels three times but remember – you just have to believe – in yourself.