Episode 23: Caring for a Senior Loved One – Navigating The Healthcare System

Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare

Note: I work diligently to make sure podcasts are mastered for the the best audio production. My sincere apologies, there was technical wonkiness on my audio that we mastered for the best quality considering the technical issue. This doesn't take away from the amazing content. Thank you for your grace and understanding.

While family caregiving can be a genuinely rewarding experience, caregivers often face common challenges that leave them overwhelmed, anxious and/or intimidated by their duties. This could be:

• Managing their time. Caregivers often find they have less time for themselves and other family members.
• Emotional and physical stress. 22% of caregivers report that their health has gotten worse as a result of caregiving. Caring for chronic conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease seem to cause the most emotional stress.
• Financial strain. Because most family caregivers are unpaid, they can start to feel some financial strain, especially when caregiving takes them away from a paying job or they are taking on the full financial burden of providing care for their senior loved one.
• Being afraid to ask for help. Many caregivers feel ashamed to ask for help from others. They feel they must assume the full caregiver burden as that asking for some assistance may be a sign of weakness.
• Depression and isolation. A family caregiver is often at high risk for depression. Oftentimes, caregiving duties take up so much of their time that they no longer maintain social connections outside of the home.

It’s important to seek a balance between caregiving and your own life.

More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one and this number will only increase.

Should you find yourself in this situation what are the best options for you…
Today we have a very special guest Jenny Kenderes who founded Premier Senior Solutions after working in healthcare for 25 years. She is passionate about helping seniors and their families. Jenny is a motivational speaker, author of an online course for families, and a 2023 Bridge the Gap National Ambassador and has served on various panels and been awarded employee of the quarter. Jenny lives in Cleveland Oh and is the proud mother of a 22 year old son and 13 year old triplets.
Today we will discuss:
1) The top 3 mistakes people make when starting to care for their loved one?
2) How can care givers best navigate the healthcare system?
3) Key tips for care givers of senior loved ones...resources and finances.
Resources:
Premier Senior Solutions
Caring For a Senior Loved One - Resources
The Challenges Facing a Family Caregiver

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