HJNO Jan/Feb 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS  I  JAN / FEB 2024 49 Dana Lawson, DNP, MHA, MSN, APRN, CCM Senior Vice President of Population Health Clinical Operations and Health Equity Louisiana Healthcare Connections What are the primary features of caregiver burden? Physical strain: Caregivers are often re- sponsible for assisting with personal care, mobility, and managing medications, lead- ing to their own physical exhaustion and potential health problems. Emotional strain: Witnessing the de- terioration of a loved one’s health, cop- ing with their pain and suffering, as well as dealing with unpredictable behavioral changes can lead to emotional distress and caregiver burnout. Financial strain: The costs associated with medical treatments, medications, and additional caregiving support can impose a significant financial burden on caregiv- ers, leading to financial instability and in- creased stress levels. Social isolation: The demands of care- giving often leave little time for engaging in social activities, leading to isolation and feelings of loneliness. Health deterioration: The stress and strain of caregiving can negatively impact the caregiver’s own health, making them more susceptible to physical and mental health issues that compromise their abil- ity to provide adequate care and support. 4 A 2020 report from NAC and AARP states that 23% of caregivers experienced health decline as a result of caregiving. 2 Interventions and support mecha- nisms for caregivers Assessing the risk of experiencing caregiver burden can be achieved with a comprehensive tool that evaluates health needs, available resources, and caregiver strengths. 5 Caregiver support solutions cover a range of needs and circumstanc- es to ensure caregivers are taking care of themselves in order to care of their loved ones. These include: • Respite care: Providing temporary relief to caregivers through respite care services that offer assistance and support, allowing caregivers to take breaks and engage in self-care activ- ities. • Support groups: Creating support- ive networks and support groups for caregivers to share experiences, gain emotional support, and exchange ad- vice and coping strategies. 6 • Training and education: Providing proper training and education on how to manage care needs effectively to include health and digital literacy, ensuring their competence and re- ducing stress associated with uncer- tainty. • Financial assistance: Offering finan- cial aid programs or benefits to allevi- ate the financial burden of caregiving, such as tax breaks, subsidies, or ac- cess to affordable healthcare services. • Psychological support: Providing professional counseling services to help caregivers cope with the emo- tional strain, improvemental well-be- ing, and develop effective coping mechanisms. • Technology-based support: Imple- menting technology-based solutions such as telemedicine or virtual/ augmented reality to address health, well-being, finances, and social isola- tion that will ease some of the care- giver’s responsibilities and enhance their ability to provide care. 6 In praise of caregivers Serving as a family caregiver is a noble, honorable role, often requiring selfless acts of love. However, it can also be relent- less, isolating, and scary to have so much responsibility because, as most caregivers will attest, the work of caregiving is 365 days a year. Implementing interventions and support mechanisms that prevent caregiver burden is crucial to providing high-quality, compassionate care. In doing so, we honor caregivers and their sacrific- es and ensure those entrusted to them re- ceive the best care possible. n REFERENCES 1 U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). The older popula- tion: 2020. 2020 Census Briefs. https://www2. census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2020/ census-briefs/c2020br-07.pdf 2 National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) & AARP. (2020). Caregiving in the U.S. 2020. Retrieved from https://www.caregiving.org/research/care- giving-in-the-us/caregiving-in-the-us-2020/ 3 Liu, Z., Heffernan, C., & Tan, J. (2020). Caregiver burden: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Science, 7(4), 438-445. doi: 10.1016/j. ijnss.2020.07.012 4 Broxson, J. & Feliciano, L. (2020). Understand- ing the impacts of caregiver stress. Professional Case Management 25(4), 213-219. Doi: 10.1097/ NCM.0000000000000414 5 Li, K.K., Leung, C.L.K., Yeung, D., Chiu, M.Y.L., Chong, A.M.L., Lam, B.C.Y, Chung, E.K.H., & Lo, T.W. (2023). Development and validation of the caregiver needs and resources assessment. Fron- tiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/ fpsyg.2023.1063440 6 Bernabeu-Alvarex, C., Lima-Rodriguez, J-S, & Li- ma-Serrano, M. (2021). Effect of support groups on caregiver’s quality of life. Family Process, 61(2), 643-658. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12684 7 Lindeman, D.A., Kim, K.K., Gladstone, C., & Ape- soa-Varano, E.C. (2020). Technology and care- giving: Emerging interventions and directions for research. Gerontologist, 60(Suppl 1), S41-S49. https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fgeront%2Fgnz178 Adistinguished healthcare leader with a career span- ning over two decades, Dana Lawson, DNP, MHA, MSN,APRN,CCM, is responsible for overseeing a di- verse array of programs, including casemanagement, community innovations, health equity, utilization management and review,chronic caremanagement, specialized behavioral health, strategic initiatives, and clinical operations. She is dedicated to forging innovative partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations aimed at enhancing the health, quality of life, and accessibility to care for individuals,families,and communities.With a wealth of experience, Lawson is known for her innovative leadership and clinical expertise in acute care,home health,primary care,and advanced nursing practice.