Elderly alert system can help strained family relationships
October 14, 2010
A number of studies have revealed the negative effects that caring for an elderly parent can have on an adult child in the workplace, but new findings reveal that the stress of the sandwich generation can also cause tension in family relationships.
Beyond Dollars: The True Impact of Long Term Caring is a study that claims 4 out of every 10 caregivers experience an increase in stress with their spouse and almost 3 out of every 10 feel increased tension with a sibling.
“Too often the cost of long term care is measured simply in dollar terms, not taking into account the many other ways that it can impact a family,” Colleen Goldhammer, senior vice president of financial institution Genworth, said in a statement. “The most important step families can take to preserve their emotional and financial well-being is to engage in proactive discussions about long term care planning.”
Genworth has launched a Let’s Talk campaign meant to help families plan for long-term care options and discuss the different strategies that they can use.
One way to plan for the future and reduce a caregiver’s burden is to install an elderly life alert system in a residence. This medical alarm will act as a way for older parents to immediately contact family or physicians in the case of an emergency, so adult children may have a little peace of mind when working or running errands.
