Those who care for ailing family members are often faced with new symptoms or with changes in a loved one’s condition. They have to decide if it’s a natural progression of the disease and “just” another thing to manage, or if it signals a serious problem like a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or a COPD exacerbation that needs to be addressed. Often, they end up in the ER, in some cases needlessly.

The authors of the original research CE article in this month’s issue, “New Acute Symptoms in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: What Should Family Caregivers Do?,” write:

“If caregivers have a clear understanding and awareness of their loved ones’ existing symptoms, they’ll be better prepared to recognize changes and new symptoms. Early recognition makes it more likely that the patient can be treated in place and trips to the ED can be avoided.”

Are caregivers being adequately prepared?

As I write in the March editorial, with over 43.5 million adults providing care to family members, we need to ensure they are prepared to do so by the time their loved one is discharged from the hospital

These caregivers provide complex care—from injections and ostomy care to managing ventilators and tube feedings—and according to surveys conducted by AARP, […]