University of Michigan Study: If a family caregiver is tired or depressed, the likelihood of the pat

Each and every day, we talk with dozens of families that are looking for help in caring for their elderly parent or relative. Many of these caregivers are over the age of 50 themselves. Many of the caregivers also work a full time job and are trying to raise a family. Then, on top of all these duties they are providing hours of care each day to their parent or relative.

There are many negative affects that occur to tired caregiver, as this overloaded schedule begins to take it's toll. However, one thing that is overlooked is how this affects the person being cared for. According to a recent study done by the University of Michigan, "tired family caregivers are associated with greater ER visits and higher overall health care costs for the person they care for". Below are more statistics from the study and found in an article posted by News Medical Life Sciences. Article

- emergency department visits were 23 percent higher among patients whose caregivers had scored high for fatigue or low on their own health status.

- Patients with fatigued or sad caregivers also had higher Medicare costs in that same time period: $1,900 more if the caregiver scored high for fatigue, and $1,300 more if the caregiver scored high for sadness, even after all other factors were taken into account.

- Nearly 15 million older adults get help with everyday activities from spouses and other family or friend caregivers.

We can help with this issue. Burd Home Health is a CDPAP Agency. We help people become paid family caregivers through New York State Medicaid. This means that the family members providing care can earn a competitive income for their work and can reduce hours at their current employers and in some case quit their jobs all together to care for their loved one.

Call 585-484-1960 or visit our website at www.burdhomehealth.com to learn more about Burd Home Health and CDPAP. Take our CDPAP Assessment to see if you qualify!