Episode #4: Recognizing the Significance of Caregiver Burden
Recognizing the significance of Caregiver Burden
Introduction to Episode
We were so excited to have Dr. Erin Craft-Otterbacher join us for this episode. Erin is a new Family Practice DNP graduate. She is a very bright, knowledgeable young lady who we know you will enjoy learning from.
During this episode Erin helps us shine a light on caregiver burden and the need to manage the tension between the needs of the caregiver and the needs of the care recipient.
Managing the tension between this pair of needs is an emerging and significant polarity in healthcare. The polarity is universal. Most of us have had caregiver experiences or even care recipient experiences. Today, more and more middle-aged adults are becoming members of the “sandwich generation” and feeling the squeeze and burden of caring for aging parents and children at the same time.
Can you relate to this tension?
The over emphasis on care recipient needs to the neglect of the needs of the caregiver can lead to significant and negative consequences for both the caregiver and the care recipient.
Healthcare systems, for the most part, do not do a very good job of recognizing the needs of caregivers. Only about 16% of caregivers are asked about their own self-care. The burdens they feel and carry, if unaddressed, can lead to devastating outcomes for them and for those they are providing care for.
There is a call to recognize the significant and highly valuable role caregivers play in care delivery as we deal with a growing aging population because caregivers play such an essential role. Another reason to recognize the value of the caregiver is it is extremely important to the economic health of our country.
Episode Summary Points:
· Polarity Thinking™ as a mind frame and way of seeing the world
· Underneath the problem of Caregiver Burden was the caregiver needs and care recipient needs
polarity
· Caregiver burden could potentially impact sustainability of the healthcare system
· Recognition of the role and value of the caregiver to sustain individual and system health
· Positive outcomes of supporting the needs of the caregiver and needs of the recipient of care
· Negative consequences of over emphasis on one pole to neglect of the other
· Polarity Map® as a tool to make polarities apparent and predictable
· Macro and micro level action steps to strengthen outcomes from addressing the needs of the
caregiver and care recipient
· Opportunities to leverage the Polarity Map® as a “wisdom organizer” bringing awareness and sense
making to the experience caregivers and care recipients are having
· The Polarity Map® can function as a care planning tool
· Recognizing early warning signs of over emphasis is important
· Why it’s essential to leverage the tension between caregiver and care recipient needs
Recommended resources:
National PACE Association
AARP Family Caregiving
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/
AARP Caregiver Life Balance
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/?intcmp=AE-CAR-SUBNAV-CLB
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