Preventing Elder Abuse by Family Caregivers

Preventing Elder Abuse By Family CaregiversPresentation By: Karen Andrews-Savoury BSW;RSW

1Helping From A Feminist Approach Having the choice to participate in the decisions that affect ones life and the life of ones society and community.

To be an effective and creative participant in ones environment.

To understand power not as power-over but as power-to(transformative power)

Helping activities in naturally occurring settings in the community

The entire community is viewed as an oasis of potential resources

Helping From An Aboriginal Approach People offering help are required to focus on maintaining their own balance (centeredness) so they are in relationship with the people receiving help. before you can reach out to help the people around you, you must first understand how to help yourself CaregivingThe Water Story Please have a glass / bottle of water available during this exercise)

A Sandwich Family Mary and Jim had a big empty house after their three children left home. They were in their mid- fifties and thought about moving to a smaller place. However when Jims mom died, they decided to invite Jims Dad, Morris to live with them. Morris is 80, very alert and active but he was lonely living alone, was not eating well, and had problems administering his own insulin. A month ago, Jackie their youngest daughter, announced that she was divorcing her husband of seven years and asked if she could move home with her 2 year old son. Suddenly everything seemed to change. Morris started asking Mary for rides and cook and was critical of her. Jackie, her daughter seemed to think that her mom and dad would just drop everything to babysit for their grandson. She seldom offered to cook and did not pick up after herself or her son Sean. Morris became very upset that Sean kept taking his slippers. His diabetes suddenly became very problematic. Mary dropped out of her daytime activities so that she could help Morris and look after Sean. Morris seemed to be deteriorating and whenever she was stern with Sean, he would cry and run to Jackie. Then she would storm around complaining about her troubled life. Jim started staying later and later at work

Who Are Unpaid Caregivers?

In 2007, there were 4 million family caregivers across Canada

Over 2.7 million family caregivers were over age 45

26% of Canadians report having cared for a family member or close friend with a serious health problem in the last 12 months thats about 1 out of every 4 people!

We are all going to be a caregiver at some point in our lives

How Many Unpaid Caregivers?

What Do Family Caregivers Do?

What Contributes to Caregiver Stress?Role ExpectationsCultural DifferencesSocietal ExpectationsFamily DynamicsEconomic HardshipCycle of ViolenceHealth Issues

What is Caregiver StressStress is the bodys response to anything that makes us feel threatened or pressured

Positive stress: gears us up to accomplish a task, protects and motivates us

Negative stress: leads us to feel tense and upright, can cause many physical, emotional and social symptoms

Common signs of Caregiver Stress

Denial about the disease and its effects on the person affectedNothing is going to change. I can do this... I dont need any help.

Anger at the person with the disease and others The tension builds up and I get angry. I have stormed out the door...I went right out and stayed out till I cooled down.

Withdrawing socially no longer wanting to stay in touch with friends or participate in activitiesI have lost my identity...my name is now hows your mother Some friends are interested, others are not interested in your changed situation.

Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holdsI am faced with growing old alone.

Common signs of Caregiver Stress

Depression - feeling sad and hopeless much of the time

we dont have the closeness that we use to...I have to ask for hugs now.letting go of my dreams... A house, trips...life as I expected it to be with spouse.

Exhaustion barely having the energy to complete daily tasks

I need to maintain my sanity- need to be healthy to care for [CR], but no time for me, so how do you look after yourself?

Sleeplessness waking up in the middle of the night or having nightmares or stressful dreams

At the end of the day I am very stressed...it takes hours to settle down to sleep[CR] is up at night... Is afraid of making a mess...makes me worn out...blow up easily...raises my blood pressure.

Emotional Reactions crying at minor upsets, often irritableI feel angry-blow up and then I feel guilty it has destroyed my self-esteemThe unpredictability of [CRs] reactions is still what throws me... I expect a pattern I am always walking on glass to keep the peace

Common signs of Caregiver Stress

Lack of Concentration having trouble focusing on and completing complex tasks Im always second guessing myself and feel less and less confident that I am doing the right thing.

Health Problems losing or gaining weight, getting sick more often, developing chronic health problems (high blood pressure)

I am one step away from needing care myself. Physically it is hard, especially on my back... Have to pull him up from the floor after he has fallen. Refuses to let me call the ambulance or other help...an invasion of our privacy...have to avoid extra costs.

Caregiver BurnoutStage One: FrustrationStage Two: Isolation & Lack of Insight

Stage Three: Depression

CAREGIVER BURNOUT

How to Avoid Situations That Lead To Elder Abuse

Identifying Feelings

Sharing The Care

Power As A Resource

Strategies That Promote Effective Engagement

Community Development, Collective Empowerment and Partnerships

Identifying Feelings

Sharing The Care

Power As A ResourcePromoting Effective Engagement

Community Development, Collective Empowerment and Partnerships

Who Cares?If the health care system were a plant, family caregivers would be the roots: invisible, fragile, and vial.

Silver Donald Cameron