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

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61%: Manage medications, including IV and injections

53%: Prepare food for special diets

39%: Help with assistive devices for mobility like canes or walkers

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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.