Caregivers, help is coming your way.

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), and a new essay in the public health journal “Preventing Chronic Disease,” is focusing on the need for more support given to caregivers of vulnerable seniors, especially those with special needs.

The nonprofit organization — committed to serving chronic disease practitioners in the U.S. — and the medical journal are calling on policy makers, employers and the American healthcare system to take action to support caregivers of vulnerable seniors especially those with special needs.

At the heart of the problem is the overlooked risk of caregivers for developing chronic conditions, according to the NACDD.

“The paper cites the National Alliance for Caregiving, stating, ‘The stress of caring for a vulnerable senior or other person with special needs is a major risk factor for developing numerous chronic conditions,'” says the NACDD. “The paper lists poor nutrition, social isolation and abuse of substances as some of the conditions that result from the burdens of caregiving.”

According to authors David Hoffman, MEd and Howard Zucker, MD, JD, LLM, a team approach is the solution.

“They see a need for increased caregiver information services, a responsive social network, including family paid leave, as well as new attention from the medical community to take note of the caregiver’s health while treating their primary patient,” says the NACDD.

The public health community is playing its part by increasing the awareness and availability of web-based resource directories, professional education and caregiver support, according to the article.

“The role of the caregiver is truly the backbone of our entire healthcare system and this paper precisely articulates the attention and support that we must give them,” says John Robitscher, CEO of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.

Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan agrees.

“Especially with the continued aging and longevity of the Greatest Generation, as well as the Baby Boomer population venturing into their golden years, caregivers have become increasingly important in our society,” she says. “They play an important role in ensuring our seniors — whether they’re parents, spouses, partners, friends, neighbors or loved ones — receive adequate and attentive care and compassion as they age. Caregivers’ overall health is vital as well.”

According to an sciencecare.com article on caregiving roles and responsibilities, close to 45 million Americans provide 38 billion hours of unpaid, “informal” care each year for older family members and friends living with chronic conditions that inhibit them from handling daily activities such as bathing, managing medications or preparing meals on their own.

“Family caregivers, give over 75% of caregiving support in the United States,” the report states.

In the “Preventing Chronic Disease” journal article, the authors report there is a collective professional responsibility to tune in to the well-being of people who are caregivers.

One of the paper’s authors, David Hoffman, is a member of the Board of Directors of the NACDD, which is a 6,000 member, national, public health nonprofit serving chronic disease program directors in all 50 state health departments and U.S. territories. He chairs the association’s Government Affairs Committee.

Founded in 1988, NACDD connects more than 6,000 chronic disease practitioners to advocate for preventive policies and programs, encourage knowledge sharing and develop partnerships for health promotion. Since its founding, NACDD has been a national leader in mobilizing efforts to reduce chronic diseases and their associated risk factors through state and community-based prevention strategies.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (888) 240-9101 for more information.