5-B SECOND. Family Caregivers of Wounded Warriors

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1 5-B SECOND Family Caregivers of Wounded Warriors Denise Miner-Williams, RN, PhD, CHPN has been working with the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers in its various stages of development for nine years. She is a retired Army nurse and an Army mom, a palliative care nurse and a research assistant professor of nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, as well as geriatrics researcher with Texas Veterans Healthcare. Her research has been a confluence of the issues of family caregivers, stress management, and spirituality in relationships. Sharon Lewis, RN, PhD, FAAN is a research professor and Distinguished Professor at UTHSCSA. Shaw has had funding from NIH and the Administration on Aging to implement and disseminate the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers. Denise Kirmse, MS Jennifer Kretzschmar, BS Martha Loomis, MA

2 Family Caregivers of Wounded Warriors Denise Miner Williams RN, PhD Martha Loomis, MA 31 May th International Association for Human Caring Conference Orlando, Florida This research is sponsored by the TriService Nursing Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; however, the information or content and conclusions do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of, nor should any official endorsement be inferred by, the TriService Nursing Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. Neither Presenter has any disclosures to make. What Do We Know about Family Caregiving? About 29% of US population are family caregivers 66 million people 80% of all long term care is provided in the home Caregiver services were valued at $450 billion/year in

3 What Do We Know about Caregiving? Caregiving is a difficult journey What Do We Know about Caregiving?..for which most people are unprepared. What Do We Know about Caregiving? Caregiving is stressful 2

4 Why is Caregiving Stressful? Change in living situation Economic hardships Multiple roles and responsibilities Juggling Day to day activities Decisions Caregiving Inability to meet personal self care needs Sleeping, eating, exercise, rest Socialization eventually become isolated What Do We Know about Caregiving? Tremendous personal costs Emotional/Psychological Physical Social Financial Global War on Terrorism Military Wounded 7 Oct Mar 2013 Operation Iraqi Freedom 31,926 Operation New Dawn 295 Operation Enduring Freedom 18,363 Total 50,

5 GWT Military Wounded Costs of Caregiving: Family Caregivers of Veterans Caregivers of Veterans (n=462) Caregivers of Adults Nationally (n=1,307) High emotional stress (4+ on 5 point scale) High physical stress (4+ on 5 point scale) Stopped working or took early retirement Severe financial hardship (4+ on 5 point scale) 68% 31% 40% 14% 47% 9% 50% 13% NAC Report (2010) Caregivers of Veterans Serving on the Homefront Costs of Caregiving: Family Caregivers of Veterans NAC Report (2010) Caregivers of Veterans Serving on the Homefront 4

6 What are the Stressors of Military Caregivers? Lack of information: Of injury Of what to expect in recovery process Of the military system Loss: He was the fittest of the fit. I never went back to my house. The unit packed it up. What are the Stressors of Military Caregivers? Change in lifestyle: Full time job providing care He won t go anywhere there are crowds. Loss of identity: I lost myself for 3 years. It was MY dad s funeral. What are the Stressors of Military Caregivers? Lack of self care Changed relationship: He did not come back the same person. 5

7 What are the Stressors of Military Caregivers? Guilt: Would it be easier if he had died? Welfare of children: The burden I have put on my oldest she gets lost in the mix. Caregiver Stressors More Unique to Military Changed extended family relationships: Depending on military friends over family Protecting others: I have to cushion the blow for others so they don t suffer. Information overload: hospital staff; programs available Caregiver Stressors More Unique to Military Dealing with public: I can t criticize him or I m the evil one. Phone calls Navigating the systems 6

8 Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers Multi component, holistic program in support group setting 9 weeks 1 ½ hours/week Multi Component Focus Stress Busting Program Support Problem Solving Education Stress Management Holistic Content Stress Busting Program Cognitive Emotional Spiritual Physical 7

9 Stress Busting Program for Family Caregivers Content Stress and Relaxation Coping Skills Grief, Loss, and Depression Dealing with Challenging Behaviors Positive Thinking Taking Time for Yourself Choosing a Path of Wellness Program Stress Management Techniques Relaxation Breathing Meditation Guided Imagery Muscle Relaxation Art and Music techniques Aroma therapy Massage Journaling Outcomes of Program Quantitative Data Decreases in Caregiver burden Stress Insomnia Increase In quality of life 8

10 Outcomes of Program: Qualitative Data Changes in perspective I didn t know I was stressed until I read the book. It s taught me so much on how cope and deal with things. It s made me more positive. to Outcomes of Program: Qualitative Data Changes in behavior I have learned to practice different ways of doing things in order to make a real change. I m taking much better care of myself now. I ate a balanced meal WITH VEGETABLES last night!!! Outcomes of Program: Qualitative Data Changes perceived by others My husband loves it when I come home from a group session. He says I m so much happier. 9

11 Impact of SBP for Family Caregivers of Wounded Warriors This program has been so helpful in so many ways, not just for stress relief; it s been a social break, emotionally up lifting, and spiritually fulfilling. 10