Having problems with message search?
Two links on great articles on kids being caregivers were posted on Hunt-Dis. They're really an eye opener when you read over 1 MILLION kids are helping with caring for a parent!! These are something every HD family should read and, if they're kids are helping at home, sit down and talk to them about how they're feeling about their help, maybe discussing the article with them for openers.
Both Susie & I know, from being the adult advisors to our young people in the HDSA National Youth Alliance, that a lot of our children are afraid of burdening a parent with HD or the caregiver parent with things that might be bothering them. This often leads to depression or feelings of frustration.
Posted 9/13/2005 10:21 PM Updated 9/13/2005 11:48 PM
When child cares for parent
By Janet Kornblum, USA TODAY
Full Article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-09-13-young-caregivers_x.htm
Excerpt:
Grave responsibilty, grave effectsCaregiving affects the lives of children in myriad ways, from the way they spend their time to how they feel about themselves.
Among findings from a new National Alliance for Caregiving study:
- Child caregivers tend to be more anxious and depressed than their non-caregiving peers. Those in minority households are more likely than non-minorities to have felt sad in the past week and to report that they often feel it is no use letting their feelings show. That may be because fewer minority caregivers have someone else helping with caregiving tasks, the report says.
- Caregivers are more likely to feel at least some of the time that no one loves them. Kids ages 8 to 11 complain of feeling worthless or inferior; those 12 to 18 are moodier than their non-caregiving peers.
- Teen caregivers (12 to 18) have more trouble getting along with teachers, are more likely to bully others, misbehave at school and associate with kids who get in trouble.
- Girls and boys who are caregivers may be affected differently. Boys are twice as likely to feel that it is "no use" to show their feelings.
- One in five young caregivers miss a school activity or after-school activity; some say they skip homework.
- Children 8 to 11 are more likely to show anxiety, depression and antisocial behavior when they live in the same house as the person for whom they care.
- On the positive side, caregivers tend to feel more appreciated and less likely to feel that people expect too much from them.
By Janet Kornblum, USA TODAY
URL: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-09-13-caregivers_x.htm?POE=click-refer
Excerpts:
More than 1 million children in the USA take care of sick or disabled relatives, shopping, feeding, dressing, medicating and even changing adult diapers. It is the first to document what advocacy groups call a hidden national problem.
- 58% of child caregivers help with at least one routine daily activity, such as bathing, dressing, getting in and out of beds and chairs, eating, and using the toilet or changing adult diapers.
- Nearly all help with shopping, household tasks and meal preparation,
- The 1.3 million to 1.4 million child caregivers, ages 8 to 18, have responsibilities more suited to adults, the national survey says.
- Child caregivers largely have remained hidden and often stay silent because they fear being separated from parents.
- Most care for parents and grandparents who have ailments such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
- At least 75% get some help, but half say they spend a substantial amount of time caregiving.
- And even those who are not the primary caregiver perform many tasks by themselves.
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22108-0605
How do I submit a letter to the editor?
We welcome your comments. Please include your full name, address and day and evening phone number so we can verify your letter. Submissions are edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Letters of 250 or fewer words have the best chance of being published. Email letters to the Editor to: editor@...
Offline 
Send Email