Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

November is National Family Caregivers Month

During the month of November, we celebrate those who care day-in-and-day-out, round-the-clock for loved ones. When a loved one has a sudden injury or a medical condition that requires urgent attention, this responsibility typically falls on their immediate family. Many who take on this responsibility are ill-prepared for the emotional and physical challenges this role […]

WRITTEN BY: Dr. Roseanne E. Scammahorn, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Darke County

REVIEWED BY: Lorrissa Dunfee, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Belmont County

REFERENCES:

  • Bradley-Bursack, C. (2021 July 3). How to be a true friend to a family caregiver. Aging Care. Retrieved from https://www.agingcare.com/articles/be-a-true-friend-to-a-family-caregiver-167934.htm
  • Cleveland Clinic. (2019, January 13). Caregiver Burnout. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout
  • Mayo Clinic. (2020, August 29). Support groups: Make connections, get help. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655
  • Scammahorn, R. (2020, April 24). Express your stress- Tips to tame your stress. Retrieved from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/scammahorn-5osu-edu/express-your-stress-tips-to-tame-your-stress/
  • Scammahorn, R. (2021, June 15). “No.” is a complete sentence. Retrieved from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/family-and-relationships/scammahorn-5osu-edu/no-is-a-complete-sentence/

Self-care for the Caregiver

Caregivers often have self-imposed expectations, pressuring them to feel they should be able to handle every situation that they encounter with little or no support or assistance. There is this tremendous pressure to “do it all,” taking care of children and aging parents while maintaining a career and the home. Instead of having a sense […]

WRITTEN BY: Dr. Roseanne Scammahorn, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Darke County, Scammahorn.5@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Kellie Lemly, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Champaign County, lemly.2@osu.edu

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • sarcifilippo from Pixabay

SOURCES:

  • The Caregiver Toolbox: Guide to Independent Living - http://www.coaaa.org/cms/images/docs/guides/COAAA_Caregiver_Toolbox.pdf
  • 10 Tips for Family Caregivers - https://caregiveraction.org/resources/10-tips-family-caregivers
  • Care Community - https://caregiveraction.org/forum
  • Defining The Help You Need - https://caregiveraction.org/defining-help-you-need
  • Depression - https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
  • Strategies for Coping with Caregiver Stress - https://www.agingcare.com/articles/strategies-for-coping-with-caregiver-stress-135916.htm

REFERENCES:

  • Area Agency of Aging (2018). The Caregiver Toolbox: Guide to Independent Living. Retrieved February 6, 2020, from http://www.coaaa.org/cms/images/docs/guides/COAAA_Caregiver_Toolbox.pdf
  • Aging In Place (February 2020). Caregiver Burnout. Retrieved February 6, 2020, from https://www.aginginplace.org/caregiver-burnout/
  • Caregiver Action Network. (2020). 10 Tips for Family Caregivers. Retrieved February 6, 2020, from https://caregiveraction.org/resources/10-tips-family-caregivers
  • Caregiver Action Network. (2020). Care Community. Retrieved April 17, 2020, from https://caregiveraction.org/forum
  • Caregiver Action Network. (2020). Defining The Help You Need. Retrieved April 17, 2020, from https://caregiveraction.org/defining-help-you-need
  • Caregiver Action Network. (2020). RESPITE: Time Out for Caregivers. Retrieved April 17, 2020, from https://caregiveraction.org/respite-time-out-caregivers-part-1
  • National Institute of Mental Health, (2018). Depression. Retrieved on April 17, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
  • Sollitto, M. (October 2019). Strategies for Coping with Caregiver Stress. Retrieved February 20, 2020, from https://www.agingcare.com/articles/strategies-for-coping-with-caregiver-stress-135916.htm
  • Smith, M. (October 2019). Caregiver Stress and Burnout. Retrieved February 6, 2020, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/caregiver-stress-and-burnout.htm

Taking Time for Me Is a Must

Life is a roller coaster.  I have been through times in life when I have needed help or care and seasons when I cared for loved ones who experience physical or mental health crises.  Within the past year, I have lost a parent and an uncle who both needed extensive medical care and support.  Several […]

WRITTEN BY: Cheryl Barber Spires, RD, LD, Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension, spires.53@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Kristen Corry, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • www.pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/taking-good-care-yourself
  • https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-complementary-medicine/mindfulness-practices
  • http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5242

REFERENCES:

  • http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/caring-for-the-caregiver.pdf
  • http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/care-for-yourself/

Dealing With Family Crisis

My grandmother recently faced extended stays in the hospital and a rehabilitation facility.  Watching her experience pain and emotional stress was difficult. Watching the rest of my family’s reaction with each twist and turn was an emotional journey of its own. When one of us hurt, we all hurt. Crises can tear families apart, but they […]

WRITTEN BY: Kristen Corry, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences

SOURCES:

  • DeFrain, J., et. al. (2008) Creating a Strong Family: Effective Management of Stress and Crisis. Retrieved from http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/html/g1883/build/g1883.htm

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