I am back on "The Rock," commonly known as Whidbey Island. I flew home yesterday. In a span of a few hours I went from 88 degrees and sunshine to a mere 40 degrees and drizzle (Brrrr!). I took advantage of some vacation time, and low airfares, to visit my mother in Arizona. It was good for me to get away. I was burned out!
CANCER CAREGIVERS
Here are some statistics I found based on a survey by The University of Pennsylvania Family Caregiver Cancer Education Program.
About Cancer Caregivers... 82% are female. 71% are married. 61% have been providing care for less than six months. 54% live with the patient for whom they are caring. 47% are more than 50 years old. 36% reported that caregiving required more than 40 hours of time per week. Financially... 46% reported inadequate financial resources.
Physical Problems They Encountered. . . 70% reported taking between 1 and 10 medications per day. 62% reported their own health had suffered as a result of caregiving. 25% reported having significant physical limitations of their own. Emotional Problems They Encountered. . . 85% reported that they resented having to provide care. 70% reported that their families were not working well together. 54% reported that they visited friends and family less since assuming their caregiving role. 35% reported that they were overwhelmed by their caregiving role. Nevertheless. . . 97% said their roles were important. 81% said they wanted to provide care and could not live with themselves if they did not assume caregiving responsibilities. 67% said they enjoyed providing care.
ARE YOU A CAREGIVER?
If so, be sure to take care of yourself. Here are some links to help you.
As followers of this blog know, Ron's cancer is now in remission. However, he is undergoing radiation to remove what is thought to be a tiny, benign tumor in his lung. This requires daily trips off the island. He continues to to take Xeloda (oral Chemo). However, there's no infusion therapy! His only side effects at the moment are fatigue and some lingering neuropathy. Ron's disability yeilds shortness of breath and mobility issues. We have put our house up for sale; there's a lot of yard work and house work to do. Tasks he did easily pre-cancer are now daunting. So, a place with less maintainence would be nice.
82% are female. 71% are married. 61% have been providing care for less than six months. 54% live with the patient for whom they are caring. 47% are more than 50 years old. 36% reported that caregiving required more than 40 hours of time per week.
Financially... 46% reported inadequate financial resources.
70% reported taking between 1 and 10 medications per day. 62% reported their own health had suffered as a result of caregiving. 25% reported having significant physical limitations of their own.
Emotional Problems They Encountered. . .
85% reported that they resented having to provide care. 70% reported that their families were not working well together. 54% reported that they visited friends and family less since assuming their caregiving role. 35% reported that they were overwhelmed by their caregiving role.
Nevertheless. . .
97% said their roles were important. 81% said they wanted to provide care and could not live with themselves if they did not assume caregiving responsibilities. 67% said they enjoyed providing care.