NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS ASSOCIATION
In the Media

A new survey released by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and Forest Laboratories, Inc. reveals what family caregivers fear most: first, their loved one's general health and physical decline, and second, the fear that Alzheimer's will take away their loved one's ability to communicate. Communication decline with their loved ones is not just a fear but a major source of stress, and also interferes with their ability to fulfill responsibilities/obligations as a caregiver.

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The National Family Caregivers Association and Homewatch CareGivers, a national provider and educator of in-home caregivers, Monday name Peterson the 2011 winner of their National Family Caregiver of the Year Award. It includes a $10,000 prize, eight hours of respite care and online training.

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With each summit, I have dedicated the climb to the special people impacted by this disease or those working toward improved treatments and a cure. As I have now climbed 6 of the 7 Summits on six different continents, I have been amazed at how widespread this disease has become. On each climb, from Argentina to Africa, I have had multiple conversations with teammates, guides and local people about Alzheimer's and the impact on their loved ones. They all tell a similar story -- that they did not see it coming in their loved one, the costs devastated family finances and that they felt guilty and helpless to provide help.

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Suzanne Mintz, president and co-founder of NFCA says sitting down and going over future plans and money matters can be a gift to any family's primary caregiver, lightening her emotional and financial load. "It really is a good time to talk about these issues," Mintz says. "Everybody's together. It's the end of one year and the beginning of another. Families can draw together and say, 'We're all in this together.' "

Article includes the National Family Caregivers Association as a resource for family caregivers.

As part of the new blog by Jane Gross:
“I have found the most comprehensive sites, in both the public and private sector, to include:
… National Family Caregivers Association …”



San Francisco Examiner
July 24, 2008
When Family Caregivers Have to Make Tough Choices
Circulation: 186,000

In many ways, Suzanne Mintz fits the profile of the lion’s share of the 50 million plus family caregivers. She is a woman, employed and cares for her loved one at home. Her resources are stretched: time, money, emotions and strength. But Mintz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), can quickly tell you that trying to pinpoint an “average” family caregiver is a futile exercise. Each brings a unique outlook to the task, and a different mix of support and resources. Those who successfully move through the daily challenges seek help when things get tough.



Baltimore Examiner
July 17, 2008
Caregivers help ease communication, study says
Circulation: 236,000

The results are “not surprising,” said Suzanne Mintz, president of the National Family Caregivers Association. The notion of intruding on patient autonomy is “old-fashioned,” and the complexity of medicine requires that additional support, she said. “As more people get a deeper understanding of how health care really is provided,” Mintz said, “they recognize that having another pair of ears — and indeed another mouth — can really make a difference.”



May 19, 2008
Lack of transition training confronts family caregivers
Circulation: 2,528,000

The report is a welcome sign that "people are finally getting it," says Suzanne Mintz, president of the non-profit National Family Caregivers Association in Kensington, Md. (Mintz, however, objects to the term "informal caregivers": "They may not be trained, they may be emotional, but there's nothing informal about them.") Mintz, who has cared for a husband who has multiple sclerosis for 34 years, says: "Most people don't get any training. Or, if they do, it's for five minutes and doesn't happen in their home."



AARP On-Line Bulletin
May 9, 2008
Silver Surge: Who will take care of aging boomers?

This raises another characteristic of boomers—they have fewer children, which translates into a smaller family caregiving force in the future. Offsetting that may be the fact that boomers are the first generation to have experience of taking care of their parents en masse, says Suzanne Mintz, president and cofounder of the National Family Caregivers Association. “People forget that in 1900 people died at the age of 47 from infectious diseases,” she says. “Now they’re living so much longer and dying from slow, degenerative, chronic diseases, which create a totally different scenario.” One of the earliest boomers herself—born in February 1946—Mintz thinks that the caregiving experience of so many millions of her generation may make a difference.



March 20, 2008
Great Web sites when aging parents need help

Looking for a caregiver can be emotionally overwhelming. There are a million questions and lots of emotions. The National Family Caregivers Association lists experts in your area who specialize in family caregiving issues.



February 10, 2008
Spouse's Sickness Bodes Ill for Partner's Health
Stress of hospitalization may pose deadly burden
Circulation: 2,028,000

Suzanne Mintz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association, said the study offers additional proof that the stress of caring for a family member can have negative health consequences. "The findings should frighten family caregivers," she said, "but more importantly, hopefully, help them give priority status to their own health needs." Spousal family caregivers' risk of depression is six times greater than that of non-caregivers, Mintz noted. And, they are less likely to reach out for help, she said. To protect their health, Mintz urges family caregivers to spread the work load. "Caregiving is much more than a one-person job, especially when both the family caregiver and the care recipient are elderly," she said. "Often, spousal caregivers do not want to ask for or take help from their grown children, but that really is the first place we should all turn."



National Public Radio
Fresh Air with Terry Gross
January 30, 2008
It doesn’t have to be this hard.
4,000,000 listeners

Interview with Suzanne Mintz discussing family caregivers in America today, her personal experiences as a family caregiver and her book, A Family Caregiver Speaks Up …it doesn't have to be this hard. Listen to the program HERE.