47- Family caregivers and dementia, Beth Fauth's research on late life
\u201cWhen someone begins to take care of older parents, spouses, or siblings, they don\u2019t usually think of themselves as a caregiver; it\u2019s just what you do for family. But people doing these tasks take on a significant emotional and physical load,\u201d says Dr. Beth Fauth, Professor in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. The problem is that when caregivers don\u2019t think of themselves as filling that role, they are less likely to reach out and find the resources they need.
Dr. Fauth talks us through her research and efforts to provide and communicate resources for caregivers of family members with dementia or other needs. She reminds us that the health of caregiver and the care receiver are equally important.\xa0 When new parents have a baby, they are expected to reach outside of themselves for help and resources; we consider it essential to care for both the parents and the infant. However, we have not yet normalized the same act of reaching out for late life caregivers, and we need to. Fauth\u2019s research has shown that caregiver interventions work \u2013 they reduce stress and improve well-being of caregivers that utilize them.\xa0 They are available face-to-face, online, and in other formats.
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/caregiver-health
https://daas.utah.gov