Caregiving

Navigating grief is far from easy or straightforward, especially as we continue living pandemic-adjusted lives. Feelings of uncertainty and loss can become overwhelming, but there are strategies for coping.

Since the pandemic began, nearly 60,000 people living and working in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have died from the coronavirus.

As the pandemic stretches on, the prolonged isolation, financial uncertainty, and fears about the coronavirus may harm your mental health. Some people are feeling the strain in the form of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. How do you handle these feelings and any specific mental health challenges during this stressful time?

A commentary by AARP Texas State Director Tina Tran

About 5.8 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease. Of those about two-thirds are women, and that number is growing. According to a new report from the AARP-founded Global Council on Brain Health, by 2050, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer's is expected to reach 13.8 million. More than 9 million Alzheimer’s patients will be women.

When it comes to caregiving, the latest figures show more Americans are caring for more than one person. The number of multi-generational households has also seen continual growth.

Caring for someone can be a challenging task, especially if you are a military caregiver. Military caregivers consistently experience worse health outcomes, greater strains in family relationships, and more workplace problems. No caregiver handles this job the same and no two service members or veterans have an identical set of health challenges.

“It’s okay not to be okay,” says Erin Perez, a palliative care nurse practitioner from San Antonio and a guest in AARP’s new Facebook Live series on May 19. “Anxiety comes from the fear of the unknown, but there are things we can control during these uncertain times.”

This current pandemic has created an interesting dynamic for caregivers and their families. Children who are caring for their parents are now taking on some of the same anxieties associated with caregiving. They are worried about their parents, trying and taking on tasks to keep them at home, and in some cases, take on their caregiving tasks to keep them safe too.

COVID-19 has changed our daily routines. It is affecting the way we dine out, exercise, and shop. When it comes to grocery shopping, which is a necessity, what can we do to stay safe? Do I leave non-perishable items outside for 24-hours? Do I wipe down food containers and then wipe down the kitchen counter where I placed the bags? And what about produce? What is the safety protocol I need to follow when unpacking those items?