Welcome to Sunrise Connection for Caregivers and Their Families

This is a stressful time for all Americans, but particularly so for caregivers. Like other Americans, caregivers worry about the security of their jobs, their ability to continue to pay their mortgages, and the future of their children. For caregivers, however, these concerns are magnified by the impact an economic setback can have on their ability to provide for their loved ones.

In this issue of Sunrise Connection, we take a close look at the dilemma that caregivers face. For many caregivers, the natural response to the economic crisis is to cut back on their own expenditures to preserve the amount they can devote to their loved ones. The latest report on the financial situation of caregivers suggests that attending to their financial needs as well as their loved ones’ is more helpful in the long run. It shows that caregivers who sacrifice their own financial security to care for loved ones are less likely to have the emotional and physical resources to provide care over an extended period.

One way to ensure that both you and your loved ones make the most of your finances is to create a household budget. In this issue, we show you how to set up a budget that is easy to maintain and follow.

Regardless of the economic climate, it is always important for caregivers to stay abreast of the many medical issues that can affect their loved ones’ health. In this issue, we focus on three of them. With seniors taking an average of five powerful prescription medications a day, accidental overdoses and adverse drug interactions are not uncommon. We offer a series of tips that can help you prevent these situations from developing—and respond to them if they do. We also spotlight the rise of dangerous C. diff infections in hospitals and explain the precautions you can take to protect your loved ones. Finally, we highlight the many advantages of having a loved one move to a Sunrise community for a short-term stay when recuperating from an illness or operation.

If you have questions about any aspect of caregiving, we encourage you to call the Sunrise community nearest you. Be assured that all our colleagues will be happy to help.