Family caregivers work tirelessly to help others, but researchers have been studying and learning about the effects of care giving on health and well-being on the caregivers, revealing some staggering results.

For example:Respite for caregivers Phoenix

– Baby boomers who are caregivers for their parents while continuing to work and raise children are at increased risk for chronic illness, depression and a decline in quality of life.

– Between loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving and the biological vulnerabilities that come with age, caregivers of this age are at risk for significant health problems as well as an earlier death.

– A caregiving spouse, between ages 66 and 96, has a risk of dying that is 63% higher than that of people of the same age who are not caregivers.

– Regardless of age, sex, race and ethnicity, family caregivers report problems attending to their own health and well-being while managing care giving responsibilities.

Additionally, family caregivers are at increased risk for:

  • chronic illness (high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a tendency to be overweight)
  • depression
  • exhaustion
  • overuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
  • worry
  • stress (an estimated 46% – 59% of caregivers are clinically depressed)

Since stress is such a major issue for caregivers, Cesura will offer monthly scheduled stress relief, providing a break from day-to-day activities. (Taking a break has been shown to help caregivers feel more energetic and focused.)

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The Need in Arizona

While there are some respite services available in Arizona, they are quite limited and have strict qualification criteria.assisted-walking

– In 2014, 13 percent of the population of Arizona — nearly 800,000 men, women and children — were classified as disabled.

– Of the disabled Arizonans who require some level of assisted care, 79 percent were receiving that care from family members or foster family.

Given the degree of demand for these services and the strict qualification criteria, there is still a huge need for respite services in Arizona.