Most difficult medical tasks rated by the caregivers
67%: Use incontinence equipment, supplies, administer enemas
66%: Do wound care (bandages, ointments, prescription drugs for skin care, or to treat pressure sores or postsurgical wounds) and ostomy care
61%: Manage medications, including IV and injections
Related
53%: Prepare food for special diets
39%: Help with assistive devices for mobility like canes or walkers
49%: Operate medical equipment (mechanical ventilators, oxygen, tube feeding equipment, home dialysis equipment, suctioning equipment)
36%: Operate durable medical equipment (hospital beds, lifts, wheelchairs, scooters, toilet or bath chairs, geri chairs, for example)
36%: Use meters/monitors (thermometer, glucometer, stethoscope, weight scales, blood pressure monitors, oxygen saturation monitors), administer test kits, use telehealth equipment
SOURCE: Home Alone: Family Caregivers Providing Complex Chronic Care
Who are the caregivers?
Female: 58%
Median age: 56
Married: 67%
Working: 47%
Not working: 17%
Retired: 27%
Disabled: 9%
Resources for caregivers
Boston ElderINFO/ElderCare Alliance:
www.elderinfo.org; 617-292-6211
Caregiver Action Network:
caregiveraction.org; 301-942-6430
Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/ New Hampshire Chapter:
www.alz.org/manh; 800-272-3900
AgingCare.com:
agingcare.com; 239-594-3221
Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs:
www.mass.gov/elders; 800-243-4636
Kay Lazar can be reached at klazar@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @GlobeKayLazar.
