Survey Shows Children Pick Up Some of the Caregiving Load

By Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide Friday, March 28, 2008

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From the third annual Alzheimer's Foundation of America conference (AFA) ICAN comes the not so surprising news that children in sandwich families generally become caregivers for their grandparents. An article about the survey titled "New Alzheimer's disease survey reveals children o...

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Sue

3/29/08 2:36pm

Hello Carol - Thanks so much for your post. Looks like you and Eric are in sync!

I was a little girl ( about 9) when my Grandmother came to live with us. And though she did not have Alzheimer's, she "got on in years" and needed help here and there. I used to set her hair for her - wash and dry and tight pink curlers! Sometimes I gave her manicures too! She was very dear to me; another mother of sorts.

But I remember it was difficult at times, when my mom (a nurse) was working. Even after I grew up and returned after college to see my mom trying to "care for 2 generations! I suspect she was never quite sure if she shoudl be in mom mode or daughter mode.

You can check out more shareposts on caregiving or for help with services visit our Caregiver Center.

All the best, sue

Leah, Health Guide

4/ 2/08 6:29am

Thank you, Carol, for a wonderfully insightful post. I suppose it is human nature to have both sides of the coin where responsibility given to a young person is concerned. The same ones who are resentful of helping Grandma are probably the same ones who resent having to clear the table or take out the trash. We can only be thankful that the majority seem to be able to take the responsibility of helping with a younger sibling or elderly relative in a compassionate and caring manner. Sounds like you really enjoy visiting the college class. You are a wonderful ambassador. Keep up the great work!

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

4/ 2/08 7:35am

Thanks, Leah. And you are an inspiration to us all.

Carol

Survey Shows Children Pick Up Some of the Caregiving Load

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