It is a common fact that in many American families, the adult daughters play a major role as their aging parents’ health begins to decline. As seniors are living longer, but not necessarily in full-health, it is becoming more evident that adult children and mainly the daughters, according to a report from the Alzheimer’s Association, are facing the brunt of the workload even if they they do not live nearby their aging parents. And according to a recent article in the New York Times, health care analysts are beginning to sound the alarm about the challenges women face as caregivers — not just for children but for aging parents — often while holding full-time jobs.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, employed women who are caregivers are seven times more likely than men to cut down from full-time to part-time employment because of caregiving duties. They are more likely than men to take a leave of absence from work, to lose employment benefits because they cut back their hours or to be forced to quit working altogether. A significant percentage say they were penalized at work because of their caregiving responsibilities.
Caregiving is physically difficult, can strain marriages, careers and can become socially isolating. So, while the family structure seems to be held together by the adult daughters, it is these caregivers that need options for rest, community, and practical help caring for their loved ones. Bayshore Home Care in Tampa Bay, Florida offers respite programs, as well as hospital to home programs that offer hands on help to seniors, doing all of the compassionate duties of the daughter while giving her time for self-care. Agencies like Bayshore, i.e., private duty home care agencies have begun answering the silent alarm and providing support for these women. To learn more about respite care and other services visit www.bayshorehomecare.com or call 1800-335-2150.