Media Relations
University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
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Contact:
Tom Hagerty
(863)
667-7077
LAKELAND,
FL (August 16, 2007) - Caregivers need care too.
That’s the message Dr. Aryn Bush of the University of South Florida Lakeland delivered at a meeting earlier this summer of an Alzheimer's Support Group in Winter Haven. Dr. Bush is a cognitive aging psychologist with USF’s School of Aging Studies and the USF Lakeland Rath Senior ConNEXTions and Education Center.
“Caring for another person is extremely demanding,” said Dr. Bush. “Even moderate caregiving for a relatively independent loved one can produce unhealthy levels of stress and anxiety that render the caregiver susceptible to a host of physical and mental health conditions. If not immediately and effectively addressed, the caregiver's physical and mental health can take a back seat to the physical and mental health of the care recipient -- often with dire results.”
In her presentation, Dr. Bush shared the warning signs and effects of caregiver stress and depression and offered effective coping strategies. An excellent resource, she noted, is the Rath Center, which offers information, referrals and caregiver support groups.
“By using outside resources, caregivers will have more time to focus on caring for themselves -- even if it’s only five minutes a day,” said Dr. Bush. "Caring for the caregiver will diminish stress levels and lessen the likelihood of spiraling into depression. That’s the bottom line: caring for the caregiver.”
The University of South Florida Lakeland Rath Senior ConNEXTions and Education Center offers older adult educational programs, services, resources, and referrals. For details call (863) 533-5925. For information on the USF Lakeland Speakers Bureau, call (863) 667-7055.
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