A
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
,
Dallas
,
TX
75235
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- Main Retail Café: Mon - Sun | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Starbucks Café: WISH Building | Mon - Fri | 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Park Market Café: Mon - Fri | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. | Sat -Sun | 7 p.m. - 4 a.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- 214-590-8831
- Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday: Closed
- Holiday hours may be different
Posted: 9/26/2016
September is healthy aging month
As the population ages, more and more people find themselves caring for an aging parent or partner. The stress of caring for a sick or dying loved one can exact a steep emotional toll, yet few caregivers take time for themselves, friends or other members of the family. Healthcare providers in Parkland Health & Hospital System’s Geriatrics department say without taking care of themselves, caregivers run the risk of exhaustion, health problems and even total burnout.
Caring for those with dementia or other neurocognitive disorders can be especially difficult and can lead to an increase in stress level. To help people cope, the Geriatrics staff regularly holds dementia education classes for caregivers of Parkland seniors suffering from the disorders. The two-and-a-half hour classes are free and open to caregivers of Parkland patients and are taught in English and Spanish.
Topics covered include an overview of dementia, signs and symptoms from early to late stages, treatment options, home safety, behavior management and caregiver stress recognition, among others.
“At the end of the class, if time permits I give those in attendance the evidence-based Zarit Burden Interview test to help them see how high their stress level is,” said Chiffon Okuda RN, geriatric case manager with Parkland’s Senior Outreach Services program.
According to the American Psychological Association, the Zarit Burden Interview is a popular caregiver self-report measure used by many agencies that work with the aging. Comprised of 22 questions, each item on the interview is a statement which the caregiver is asked to endorse using a 5-point scale. Response options range from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always).
Among the questions are: “Do you feel that because of the time you spend with your relative that you don’t have enough time for yourself?” “Are you afraid what the future holds for your relative?” “Do you feel you should be doing more for your relative?” and “Overall, how burdened do you feel in caring for your relative?”
“It’s also important that caregivers realize they are not alone,” Okuda said. “That’s why we distribute a list of community resources of where to get help as well as handouts from the Alzheimer’s Association that includes a 24-hour hotline.”
In addition, Okuda or others on the Geriatrics team will place follow-up calls to class attendees to see how they are coping or if some type of immediate action is required.
“The emotional and physical demands involved with caregiving can strain even the most resilient person,” Okuda said. “That’s why it’s so important to take advantage of resources available locally and online.”
To help cope, AARP offers 10 tips to keep caregiver stress in check:
- Put your physical needs first
- Connect with friends
- Ask for help
- Call on community resources
- Take a break
- Deal with your feelings
- Find time to relax
- Get organized
- Just say “no”
- Stay positive
“It’s important to remember if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else,” Okuda added.