Family Efforts in Long-Term Care Appraised at $450 Billion

Stay in a lovely town like Bethesda, Maryland long enough and you could hardly be blamed for thinking that ripe blackberries overhang all busy footpaths, or that it's possible, at one- or two-mile intervals, to find top-rated physicians; in  Bethesda is where one finds the National Institute of Health headquarters, after all. Some have a true appreciation for the fortunate circumstance that living in one of Maryland's major centers for medicine is, but even here -- where a good family practitioner  in Gaithersburg or Rockville is never too far away -- there exist households where the main duties of daily health care are carried out not by medical professionals, but by non-paid family members. This much is only part of what the latest update to the AARP Public Policy Institute's report, "Valuing the Invaluable," is suggesting.

If you have aging family members, whether you live in Washington state or in Maryland, long term  care manageability is of special concern to you, as is locating skilled doctors. The AARP report, which takes a look at the contributions of family caregivers in the United States, is noteworthy for the insights it delivers concerning the monetary worth of the long-term care duties performed inside ordinary American households to accommodate ailing kin. The care given by family mostly goes unpaid, but if their efforts were quantified in dollars, the price is mighty high, per the report's findings.

The report shows the following figures: in 2009, 42.1 million family caregivers provided daily assistance to relatives and 61.6 million did likewise intermittently. Within a single year those efforts are estimated to be worth $450 billion. Moreover, the AARP's report claims that of all the family members caring for disabled or sick relatives, two-thirds are women. It seems that the number of families that find themselves in such living arrangements is growing, but changes to the traditional family structure, as well as pressing economic factors, are contributing to the heightening of familial strain on account of the uneven distribution of family labor. It's one thing to have relatively easy access to a decent hospital practice when it's needed, but the sustained effort that long-term care requires can be a formidable burden without adequate support. That's why many are calling out for greater federal support and recognition to families performing these truly invaluable obligations.

Sam Walters is currently writing from Los Angeles about her bicoastal interests. Her writing appears in print and online.

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Richard A. Manfredi has written about montgomerymedical.com"> www. montgomerymedical.com . Montgomery Medical rehabilitation specialists is a primary care hospital practice providing heart disease treatment, montgomerymedical.com"> back pain treatments, diabetic foot ulcers treatment, neck pain treatment, joint pain treatment and more.

When to See Your Family Doctor

When to See Your Family Doctor
Although you should contact your doctor whenever you feel anything out of the ordinary, sometimes signs and symptoms may not be so obvious. Here are three subtle signs and symptoms that you simply can't ignore.

If you're an adult over the age of 30 and do not have any major health issues, primary  care for women and men may be the last thing on your mind. After all, you don't have to see a doctor until it is time for one of your routine physical exams or health screening tests. But what do you do about those not-so-obvious signs and symptoms, such as shortness of breath and unexplained weight loss? Here are three subtle signs and symptoms that you simply can't ignore.

Unintended weight loss: It seems that everyone these days is trying to lose weight. But if you're losing weight without trying to, it may be a cause for alarm. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have lost up to 10 percent of your weight during a six-month period, you should consult your doctor or family practice in  Gaithersburg. Unintended weight loss could indicate several health issues, including overactive thyroid, diabetes, depression, liver disease or even cancer.

Constant or high fever: A fever usually means that your body is fighting an infection. However, it might be a serous medical condition if you have had a fever for more than three days. A constant or extremely high fever can indicate that you have a urinary tract infection or tuberculosis. It may also signal serious conditions, such as cancer. This is why it is important to consult your family  doctor in Gaithersburg if you've had a fever for more than three days.

Shortness of breath: While an occasional stuffy nose can make it difficult to breathe, if you're unable to catch your breath, panting for air, or wheezing, consult your doctor or hospital practice immediately.  Shortness of breath could indicate several underlying health issues, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, or a blood clot in the lung. Another explanation for shortness of breath could be a panic attack.

About the Author

Richard A. Manfredi has written about www.montgomerymedical.com . Montgomery Medical rehabilitation specialists is a primary care hospital practice providing heart disease treatment, back pain treatments, diabetic foot ulcers treatment, neck pain treatment, joint pain treatment and more.