Caregiving in Lockport IL: Men Are Caregivers, Too | Home Care ...

Men Are Caregivers, Too

Almost half the people who care for an elderly, disabled, or chronically ill family member or friend are men. But the way they cope is different from women.
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By Richard Trubo? WebMD Feature Reviewed By Michael Smith

Marty Beilin plays many roles in his day-to-day life ? from breadwinner to husband to father of two daughters. But for the past five years, he has also found himself thrust into a new and unanticipated role ? as primary caregiver for his wife, Debbie, who has multiple sclerosis.

"It changed everything," says Marty, who teaches school in the Philadelphia area. "There's shock, denial, anger, guilt, and then finally acceptance."

Marty has assumed a long list of responsibilities in caring for his wife who must use a wheelchair or a motorized scooter when she leaves the house. "Debbie has chronic, progressive MS, but luckily she has not been so impaired that I've had to stop working," says Beilin. "At this point, we try to live as normally as we can. The key is to find a way to be a caregiver, but also to go beyond just coping skills and to have a life."

According to the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), there are more than 54 million Americans like Beilin who have provided care for an elderly, disabled, or chronically ill family member or friend during the past year. Even though caregiving is often thought of as a role assumed primarily by women, an NFCA survey found that 44% of caregivers are men.

Beilin is president of the 14-year-old Well Spouse Foundation, which provides information and support for spousal caregivers. "There hasn't been enough attention to the needs of family caregivers," says Beilin. "People see the person in a wheelchair, but they don't really focus on the person pushing the wheelchair."

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If you or someone you know needs help with caregiving in Lockport IL or the surrounding area, contact the caregivers at Home Helpers. We provide quality and affordable in home care for many disabled and elderly loved ones in our community. Call us at 815-836-2635 for more information.
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Source: http://myeldercareblog.com/edwardkerfin/2011/06/30/caregiving-in-lockport-il-men-are-caregivers-too/

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