Perspective               

Sleepless Caregivers

If you are caring for a sick family member at home, you may be going without some much needed sleep. This probably comes as no surprise - being a family caregiver can be physically and emotionally draining. But a new study in the Journals of Gerontology found that women who took care of a sick spouse or other relative at home get significantly less sleep, are more likely to experience interrupted sleep, and are more likely to rely on sleeping pills than healthy adults in the same age group. Caregivers may have to wake up in the middle of the night because the person they are caring for needs help. And caregivers may not sleep well because of anxiety or stress. In fact, some of the sleep patterns of family caregivers are similar to those of people with depression.

If you are a family caregiver, remember to take care of your health, too. If you are not feeling well, call your doctor. If you are not getting enough good sleep each night, talk to your doctor. Maybe she can suggest ways to relax or to change your schedule. And the person you are caring for may qualify for some Medicare-covered home health care, which might allow you to take much needed breaks during the day.

For more information on the Medicare home health benefit, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. The number is listed in the back of the Medicare & You which was sent to people on Medicare. You can also get a copy by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Or call your Senator or Congressperson. They should have staff who can help you.

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