Dr. Terri Harvath

When I was at UC Davis, I opened a clinic for family caregivers and What was interesting to me is that many of the caregivers that I saw, they made one appointment. And what they wanted to talk about is, these are the things that they were thinking and doing. And was that OK? And if we can say, yes, you're doing the right thing. For a lot of caregivers, that was all they needed, to know that.

When I was at UC Davis, I opened a clinic for family caregivers and What was interesting to me is that many of the caregivers that I saw, they made one appointment. And what they wanted to talk about is, these are the things that they were thinking and doing. And was that OK? And if we can say, yes, you're doing the right thing. For a lot of caregivers, that was all they needed, to know that.

And I would say, it sounds like your instincts are spot on. Trust them. Because family caregivers don't want to do any harm. And that's what they're afraid of, that I'm going to make a mistake that is going to do some harm. Other caregivers were facing really difficult ethical dilemmas. You know, a common one was my dad's doctor says he's no longer able to live by himself.

And I would say, it sounds like your instincts are spot on. Trust them. Because family caregivers don't want to do any harm. And that's what they're afraid of, that I'm going to make a mistake that is going to do some harm. Other caregivers were facing really difficult ethical dilemmas. You know, a common one was my dad's doctor says he's no longer able to live by himself.

My dad says the only way he's leaving his home is feet first. Do I really have to move dad out of his home?

My dad says the only way he's leaving his home is feet first. Do I really have to move dad out of his home?

And I think when we sit down with caregivers and talk about what are the real risks to safety and can they accept those risks on behalf of the older person's autonomy and quality of life, then we can come to solutions that feel better and don't feel like you're wrenching somebody out of their home against their will.

And I think when we sit down with caregivers and talk about what are the real risks to safety and can they accept those risks on behalf of the older person's autonomy and quality of life, then we can come to solutions that feel better and don't feel like you're wrenching somebody out of their home against their will.

But a lot of times the risks that we as healthcare professionals see are very unlikely. Or they're not preventable no matter where the person is because memory care is not a risk-free environment either.

But a lot of times the risks that we as healthcare professionals see are very unlikely. Or they're not preventable no matter where the person is because memory care is not a risk-free environment either.

And when we actually disentangle the risks and understand that some are reasonable to accept on behalf of this older person's quality of life or their sense of autonomy, that can alleviate the caregiver that they're not endangering their family member and that they're not

And when we actually disentangle the risks and understand that some are reasonable to accept on behalf of this older person's quality of life or their sense of autonomy, that can alleviate the caregiver that they're not endangering their family member and that they're not

forcing their family member to do something that they don't want to do and so I think sometimes the burnout is fearing that I don't know what the right thing is to do or do it it's there's a lot of mess involved with that yeah yeah I would add a couple of red flags being physical health too

forcing their family member to do something that they don't want to do and so I think sometimes the burnout is fearing that I don't know what the right thing is to do or do it it's there's a lot of mess involved with that yeah yeah I would add a couple of red flags being physical health too

Sure. So I think a very interesting statistic is that since the time the US Census has been tracking nursing home or that sort of environment as a possible residence, which is something like the 1920s, the number of people over the age of 65 living in nursing homes has remained consistent at 4%.

Sure. So I think a very interesting statistic is that since the time the US Census has been tracking nursing home or that sort of environment as a possible residence, which is something like the 1920s, the number of people over the age of 65 living in nursing homes has remained consistent at 4%.

which is often a shocking statistic because there continues to be this myth that in the US we somehow don't take care of our elders the way other countries or cultures do, but that's simply not true. Most older adults are living at home in the community. And if they need help, they're being cared for by a family member. They're receiving that help.

which is often a shocking statistic because there continues to be this myth that in the US we somehow don't take care of our elders the way other countries or cultures do, but that's simply not true. Most older adults are living at home in the community. And if they need help, they're being cared for by a family member. They're receiving that help.

And when I say family, I'm using that word very broadly to include friends, neighbors, relationship by affinity, partners, all of that. And And I think it's an important statistic for us to keep in mind because it does mean that most of that care is happening in the community and is being borne by families who are doing it.

And when I say family, I'm using that word very broadly to include friends, neighbors, relationship by affinity, partners, all of that. And And I think it's an important statistic for us to keep in mind because it does mean that most of that care is happening in the community and is being borne by families who are doing it.