Vanderbilt Faculty & Staff Health and Wellness

As our population ages, it is now estimated that for the US and other industrialized nations, the number of individuals diagnosed with neurocognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, will continue to increase. The CDC noted that, in 2017, complications from Alzheimer's was the sixth leading cause of death for individuals in the United States who are 65 and older. Worldwide, the incidence of dementia is thought to be on the increase, with researchers estimating that the diagnosis of Dementia will triple by 2050.


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 As part of National Family Caregivers Month, Stacey Bonner from the Vanderbilt Child and Family Center discusses strategies for being a family caregiver, how to have “the talk” with aging parents, and resources available to help those caring for family members.

What's in your medicine cabinet? Perhaps you have a few leftover pain pills, half a bottle of cough syrup, or even an entire cache of controlled substances from a loved one who has died.

As a family caregiver, you are responsible for taking care of your elderly loved one. This includes providing assistance with activities of daily living like eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and other household chores. Family caregivers should be sure to have in place legal documents important to the lifelong care of the elder. Having access to important legal documents will help make caregiving easier for family caregivers. The most common legal documents that every caregiver should have are:

As parents age, it is important for the whole family to discuss financial issues, health needs, and other important lifestyle decisions. While these can be difficult conversations to have, it is important to pro-actively make plans before a crisis necessitates action..

The number of Americans over the age of 60 is growing more rapidly than ever before. Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are approaching retirement age. By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65+. Today in Davidson County, Tennessee, 45% of employees over age 45 have some direct care giving responsibility for a loved one.
 
 More and more adult children find themselves as the primary caregivers for their aging parents. It is estimated that today's family members are responsible for 80% of the elder care provided in the United States.

Many of us  are finding ourselves part of the "Sandwich Generation", which is both raising children and providing care for our aging parents.