Recently in the online Lewy Body Dementia Spouse Caregivers group, a short discussion began about differences in the way husband Caregivers and wife Caregivers deal with their role. I have copied an article from the AARP website on the matter. While all of us have common challenges irrelevant of gender, there are some different cultural patterns that seem to come into play for males and females. The task is equally difficult. I have to say that I identify with much of what is written below. At the end I will include an update on a fairly uneventful day at our place.
The New Face of Caregiving: Male Caregivers
By: Cathie Gandel | Source: AARP Bulletin Today | – January 23, 2009// <![CDATA[
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Photo by Blasius Erlinger/Getty Images
When his wife, Chris, was diagnosed with breast cancer on their 19th wedding anniversary, Dave Balch suddenly found himself with two full-time jobs: running his home-based software business and taking care of her. “I don’t know how I managed everything,” says the 60-year-old from Twin Peaks, Calif., whose wife continues to fight recurrences of the disease six years later. “But you do what you have to do.”
Each year, more Americans are finding themselves in a similar situation—and challenging preconceived ideas about men and caregiving.
“People think that male caregiving means that the guy calls home from the job and asks his wife how his mom is doing,” says Donna Wagner, professor of gerontology at Towson University in Towson, Md. “That’s not true at all.”
A 1997 survey conducted by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, a research and advocacy coalition, found that 27 percent of caregivers were men. By the 2004 update, that figure was almost 40 percent, with more male caregivers (60 percent) working full time than women caregivers (41 percent). Among the reasons for the increase: smaller families, longer life spans, more women working outside the home and greater geographic separation of family members.
While male caretakers face many of the same challenges as their female counterparts—including depression, stress, exhaustion and reduced personal time—they approach their caretaking role differently, say some experts.
“Men approach caregiving as a form of work, a series of tasks that needs to be accomplished,” says Edward H. Thompson, coeditor of Men as Caregivers and director of gerontology studies at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. “I don’t mean that to sound harsh. It’s just the way they look at things.”
Because they are used to delegating, they are more comfortable seeking outside help when they need it, says Richard Russell, associate professor of social work at the State University of New York’s College at Brockport.
Donald Vaughan, a 51-year-old freelance writer in Raleigh, N.C., has an aide come in three times a week to bathe and shave his father. “It’s worth every penny I pay,” he says.
But despite feeling isolated, men tend not to seek help for themselves, at least not from traditional support groups. Instead, some forge their own connections. In Rochester, N.Y., some fellow caregivers meet once a week for breakfast. “The men talk about sports, politics and grandchildren,” Russell says. “They don’t mention caregiving. It’s as if they have made a pact that this is their time to be just regular guys.”
Men also try not to bring their caregiving situation into the workplace. They not only have been socialized to keep things close to the vest, they also perceive a stigma associated with taking time off for caregiving responsibilities—and sometimes a lack of understanding from employers.
John Young experienced that feeling firsthand. The 55-year-old nursed his late wife through Lewy body dementia, a disease that combines the mental deterioration of Alzheimer’s disease with the physical disability of Parkinson’s disease. When his wife became ill, Young was teaching in a police academy in a Houston suburb. At first she was able to stay on her own while he worked, but one day she called with an emergency and he had to rush home. “When I returned, my boss called me in and asked, ‘How much longer does she have?’ ” Young says. “I knew it was time to go.”
Even those who work at home have trouble juggling responsibilities. “Taking care of my dad has had such a dramatic impact on my life,” Vaughan says. “One part of my brain is always on my father. And my time is nickel-and-dimed throughout the day. It’s hard to get a long period when I can do my work.” He interrupts his writing intermittently to make sure his father drinks enough fluids and walks up and down the hallway for exercise.
“The worst part is the exhaustion,” says Gary Noble, 64, who cares for his wife, who has multiple sclerosis. He also works as a bus driver in Livermore, Calif., and often has split shifts. He may come home at 8:30 p.m. Before he goes to bed at 9:30, he has to cook, clean up and tend to his wife’s needs. He needs to be up again at 3 a.m. “I’d appreciate just a few hours off sometimes,” he says.
John Carlson, 57, of Woodbury, Minn., takes care of his 88-year-old father, who is in the early stages of Parkinson’s. “The most difficult part is having time away from home,” he says. “Dad covets my time, as most of his days are spent alone.”
While any relationship may suffer in the caregiving equation, the issues are particularly difficult for those caring for a spouse, says Donna Wagner. Richard Anderson, president of the Well Spouse Association, a nonprofit organization that provides peer support to those caring for a partner with chronic illness or disability, agrees. He took care of his late wife, who had an autoimmune disease, for 29 of their 31 years of marriage.
“Spousal caregivers are different because of the intimacy of the relationship,” he says. “It’s hard to have sexual feelings toward your partner if you have to deal with incontinence and other personal issues.”
Despite the difficulties these men face, there is some good news. “My wife and I spend a lot more time together,” says Ray Heron, 57, of Charlottesville, Va., who has been caring for his wife, who has MS, for 10 years.
The caregiving relationship has brought Chris and Dave Balch closer, too. “This can really put your love for each other to the test,” Chris says. “In our case, it made it stronger.”
Tips for Male Caregivers
“There is no manual on this,” says Vaughan, the freelance writer in Raleigh, N.C., who cares for his father. “You learn day by day.” But here are seven tips passed on by men on the front lines of caregiving.
1. If someone asks what they can do to help, have a list in the back of your mind and tell that person.
2. Have something to look forward to—whether it’s a big trip or just a rental movie to watch at home. Remind yourself that you will get through this.
3. Acknowledge your emotions. You’re human, not a robot.
4. Set up a group e-mail to keep family and friends in the loop.
5. If you’re a spousal caregiver, don’t put off shared pleasures. If you and your wife always dreamed of going to the Caribbean and the trip is still feasible, do it now.
6. Remember that most of the little issues don’t count. Discuss them and find what works for both you and your patient.
7. Learn as much as you can about your patient’s disease, even though it might be scary.
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April 19, 2010 at 9:16 am
I just read about Male Caregiving. I know it’s hard but I commend you for taking good care of your wife. After losing my brother last year I now am even more needed with my mother who may have early dementia, thank goodness for Aricept & for Lexapro. I actually enjoyed reading your account of the day. I think as long as I can find time for myself (I am also married w/4 sons…3 still living at home) I feel better & more equipted to handle things that come up. I watched a short video about The Secret on youtube, was very interesting. Your story is helpful to people taking care of someone else (not just LBD). I copied those 7 tips for male caregivers & am posting them on my facebook page to share with others. thank you.
April 19, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I commend you for dealing with your Mother as well as three boys at home. Parenting is so very demanding. You are a prime example of the sandwich generation. I am grateful to have grown children who care very much and do whatever is in their power to help. Geography and their family responsibilities limit what they can do, but their love and concern are a constant blessing to us. They are the ones now in the sandwich generation.
Peter
April 19, 2010 at 9:51 am
What a wonderful thing you are doing for us male caregivers! When I first became a caregiver for my wife in 2002 I was amazed at how little was out there for me. Things are getting better but there is still a long way to go.
With resources like your blog and CopingUniversity.com, we just might be able to make a difference!
Dave
April 19, 2010 at 11:54 am
I appreciated your article on Male Caregivers very much. My dad cares for my mother who has LBD, I feel for him he gets very little rest. Currently my sisters and I help in the evenings for a few hours and one of us will stay the weekend with him just so he can sleep. Mom does not sleep much she is bi-polar along with the LBD. I have seen my dad age tremendously in the last year caring for mom 24×7 and he is hesitant about getting outside help whether in-home care or an adult daycare, afraid they will not treat her well, as she can be difficult at times.
April 19, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I cannot even imagine how much your Dad has been through trying to care for someone he loves, who is bi-polar. In my years in the ministry before retiring, I related to many were bi-polar or living with someone who was bi-polar. What a combination, LBD and Bi-polar. You and your sisters are clearly the reason he is still able to function at all. You have lives too. It is a great gift to both your Mother and Father. It is hard to imagine how you and your sisters have been able to cope with the volatility that comes with being bi-polar, and now losing your Mom bit by bit as the LBD takes its toll. Somehow my load seems lighter after hearing about your Dad and his challenges.
Peter