Health
When a parent must care for a parent: How to avoid caregiving burnout, according to experts
For members of the so-called “sandwich generation,” doing double-duty caregiving can take a toll.
Serving as a caregiver for a parent with dementia while also caring for kids and maintaining social and work relationships can come with physical, mental and emotional challenges, several experts expressed to Fox News Digital.
It can be especially difficult dealing with the role reversal, experts say.
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“The role of a parent is someone to look up to, respect and listen to,” Dr. Nancy Frye, PhD, a professor of psychology at Long Island University Post Campus in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital.
When a parent is in cognitive decline, questions arise about how to step out of traditional parent-child roles, she said, with “no clear norms or guidelines.”
For members of the so-called “sandwich generation,” doing double-duty caregiving can take a toll, experts say. (iStock)
“People have lived their lives looking up to their parents, turning to them for advice, and respecting their privacy and autonomy,” Frye continued.
“Now, they find themselves poking around in their parents’ affairs and wondering when to start making decisions for them.”
Stress of the ‘sandwich generation’
“Sandwich generation” caregivers — those who are tasked with taking care of multiple generations, such as parents and children, simultaneously — reported significantly higher levels of personal burnout compared to those who care solely for children, according to a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Aging & Human Development.
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One middle-aged caregiver from Long Island, New York, who asked to withhold her name, told Fox News Digital she can barely find time to take a shower when taking care of her mother with dementia.
“How can I find time to go for a walk or coffee with friends when I am afraid she will wander or fall?” she asked.
Those who are tasked with caring for members of multiple generations reported significantly higher levels of personal burnout compared to those who care solely for children. (iStock)
To avoid caregiver burnout when taking care of a parent who is dealing with an illness such as dementia, health experts said it is important to carve out time for yourself.
“Caring for a person with dementia can be very stressful,” Frye said. “In order to take care of somebody else, you need to take care of yourself. It is OK to take a break.”
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Dr. Marc L. Gordon, chief of neurology at Zucker Hillside Hospital Northwell Health on Long Island, New York, said caregivers should not hesitate to rely on others.
“It is important to find time for respite, and to ask for help rather than trying to do it all by yourself.”
He added, “Just like they tell you on an airplane, in case of an emergency, you should put on your own oxygen mask before attempting to assist others.”
“How can I find time to go for a walk or coffee with friends when I am afraid she will wander or fall?”
Darci Henry, a certified dementia practitioner and licensed nursing home administrator with Trualta — a Canadian company that provides online support and education for caregivers — said caregivers experience a range of emotions, all which are valid.
Henry emphasized to Fox News Digital the importance of delegating responsibilities to other family members and outsourcing tasks.
There are approximately 53 million caregivers in the U.S. as of 2020, a jump from 43.5 million in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (iStock)
This may mean using community resources, such as meal prep, grocery delivery and laundry services.
“Reaching out and getting that extra layer of support is really important for your own preservation,” Henry said.
“Taking time for self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary.”
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Even for those who cannot leave the house, Henry suggested taking “micro moments.”
“It can be something as small as taking a few deep breaths, doing some stretching, standing outside on your porch or just enjoying a cup of coffee,” she said.
When it comes to speaking with children about their grandparent’s condition, an expert said knowledge is power. (iStock)
It is also important to carve out time for family relationships and daily check-ins with spouses or partners, according to Henry.
That could include going for a walk after dinner, having regular family meetings and discussing the division of responsibilities.
Navigating difficult discussions
“If there are underlying issues in the family, you’re definitely going to see them come up once the caregiving role starts,” Henry said.
People should seek professional help if the strain of caregiving is affecting the relationship, she advised.
“Many families have someone from the outside come in and mediate the meetings.”
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Having an outside perspective can help “provide a different lens” for the conversation and make sure everyone is heard, Henry noted.
While communicating, she said it’s key to be respectful and understand limitations and expectations.
“Try to take things as they come, moment by moment,” said one expert. “Focus on a parent having a good or a bad hour or day, as opposed to the parent improving or declining quickly.” (iStock)
When it comes to speaking with children about their grandparent’s condition, Henry said knowledge is power.
“The more you can educate the teenager or young adult about what is happening, the more empathy they may have about the situation.”
“If there are underlying issues in the family, you’re definitely going to see them come up once the caregiving role starts.”
To help deal with the mood swings often associated with dementia, Henry suggested adhering to a stable routine as much as possible and developing strategies to identify and prevent triggers for certain behaviors.
“Educating yourself on what is happening in that person’s brain is really important, because that will help you understand that they are not giving you a hard time, they’re having a hard time,” Henry said.
‘One day at a time’
It’s best to embrace a “one-day-at a time” mindset, Frye suggested.
“It’s tempting to take a parent’s state and behavior — whether it’s good or bad — as an indication of what’s to come,” she said.
To help deal with the mood swings that are often associated with dementia, an expert suggested adhering to a stable routine as much as possible and developing strategies to identify and prevent triggers. (iStock)
“Try to take things as they come, moment by moment. Focus on a parent having a good or a bad hour or day, as opposed to the parent improving or declining quickly,” Frye suggested.
Continuing to give a parent as much say and autonomy as possible can be helpful, she added — as long as it’s safe.
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“Decades ago, Ellen Langer did a study in which people in a nursing home were given a plant and told either that they needed to care for it, or that the staff would care for it,” Frye said.
“Those who were tasked with caring for their own plants lived longer.”
There are approximately 53 million caregivers in the U.S. as of 2020.
That’s a jump from 43.5 million in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Americans are popping more supplements – and fewer multivitamins – than ever before, a new study found.
Research published in JAMA Network Open, led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, looked at 25 years of U.S. dietary supplement use data from 1999 to 2023.
This included more than 63,000 adults over the age of 20 who reported their supplement usage.
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When tracking patterns over time, the analysis revealed that overall supplement use increased from 51% of U.S. adults to 60%. The largest rise – from 62% to 78% – was identified in adults 65 and older.
Supplement use was found to be more common in women, people with a higher income or education, and those with insurance.
Supplement use was found to be more common in women, people with a higher income or education, and those with insurance. (iStock)
During the same period, multivitamin use decreased from 35% to 31%, while intake of vitamins and minerals outside of multivitamins increased.
Some of the largest increases in intake were seen in vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12 and turmeric. Other emerging supplements include ashwagandha, elderberry, collagen, hyaluronic acid, probiotics and prebiotics, according to the research.
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The later post-pandemic period saw an influx of immune support-based products, like zinc and vitamin D (outside of multivitamins).
The rise in supplement use aligns with the longevity movement, as more people seek products tailored to specific health goals, such as immune support, inflammation, gut health, skin health and joint health.
The study only shows that people are taking more supplements, but does not prove that they’re effective for these uses, the researchers noted.
Those on a GLP-1 medication should factor in a multivitamin to counteract the risk of nutrient gaps or deficiencies, an expert recommended. (iStock)
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein gave her take on the emerging supplement movement.
“I love that people are getting more educated and more intentional – I just wish they were being advised by more doctors and dietitians and less by ‘wellness influencers’ who are likely not doing the due diligence on the quality and efficacy of the supplements they’re promoting,” she said.
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Muhlstein expressed concern that all-in-one-multivitamin use has “slipped,” despite the rise in GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
“A multivitamin is where I think people should start as the foundation to help bridge nutrient gaps, especially for people on a GLP-1 who are eating about 15% to 30% less, and therefore likely consuming 15% to 30% less vitamins and minerals,” she said. “I recommend that everyone on a GLP-1 medication [should] take a multivitamin daily.”
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A daily probiotic, magnesium and vitamin D3 are also “smart for many of us,” the nutritionist added. She also recommends elderberry as an effective supplement for boosting the immune system when fighting a cold.
A nutrition expert cautioned against taking supplements that have not gone through third-party testing for safety and quality. (iStock)
Collagen has also been shown to benefit the skin and joints, which Muhlstein said is “worth considering as we get older.”
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“My real concern is the unregulated market,” she cautioned. “I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve received over the years of people pitching me new supplements … because the margins are high and the market is huge.”
“That’s why I’m extremely picky about what I take and what I recommend to my family and clients.”
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Muhlstein warned against taking a supplement that hasn’t gone through third-party testing for safety and quality.
“The best ones go further and test for pesticides, arsenic and heavy metals, especially for protein powders,” she said. “If a product has many ingredients, I like to see that they do testing on each individual ingredient.”
Bipartisan push to invest in US national parks
Bret Baier moderates a discussion with Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) about the ‘America the Beautiful’ initiative. This bipartisan effort seeks to modernize national parks ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, investing $1.9 billion annually. They emphasize national parks as common ground, beloved by all Americans, and crucial for our shared heritage.
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As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, many Americans are taking extra notice of all the things the country has to offer.
One such case is our access to vast wilderness. Today, the nation’s national parks are bustling tourist attractions, but they may also serve as vital resources for public health, experts say.
The most immediate health boost comes from physical movement.
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Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that regular physical activity is crucial for reducing obesity, improving sleep quality and lowering the risk of chronic illnesses.
The nation’s public lands include parks, trails and open spaces that encourage outdoor recreation and physical activity.
Beyond physical fitness, national parks contribute to documented mental health benefits. (iStock)
A review by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) found that implementing park, trail and greenway infrastructure directly increases physical activity across communities.
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When people walk, hike or bike through national parks, they are actively lowering their blood pressure, boosting immune function and reducing overall mortality, data shows.
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Beyond physical fitness, national parks may contribute to documented mental health benefits.
Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.
Engaging in educational activities and lifelong learning preserves brain function, improves memory and helps stave off age-related cognitive decline, research shows. (iStock)
This research also shows that natural environments boost attention span, combat mental fatigue and improve cognitive performance.
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Parks also act as natural venues for mindfulness and social connection.
Research shows that practicing mindfulness in quiet outdoor spaces lowers stress and mitigates feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
Research highlights that practicing mindfulness in quiet outdoor spaces lowers stress and mitigates feelings of loneliness and social isolation. (iStock)
Additionally, because parks protect cultural and historical resources, they can inspire lifelong learning.
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According to the data, engaging in educational activities and lifelong learning preserves brain function, improves memory and helps stave off age-related cognitive decline.
The National Park Service was established in 1916 to conserve the nation’s natural and historic resources for future generations, according to the organization.
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Today, that mission has expanded, as parks are recognized not only for their scenic and cultural value, but also the opportunities they provide for recreation and physical activity.
Screwworm outbreak threat to US livestock, prompts USDA action
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins discusses USDA’s response to the New World Screwworm outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, assuring safe food supply on ‘The Bottom Line.’ VI LONG DEK: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addresses the alarming resurgence of New World Screwworm in Texas and New Mexico, emphasizing USDA’s aggressive containment efforts. She confirms the food supply remains safe while highlighting the administration’s focus on domestic fertilizer production, investing billions in new plants and infrastructure projects. Rollins celebrates 250 years of American agriculture and its vital role in national security.
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Doctors thought a 60-year-old man had metastatic brain cancer after scans revealed multiple tumors – but further testing revealed a shocking diagnosis.
The Spanish man, who was not named, was found to have a parasitic tapeworm larvae lodged in his brain — a case of neurocysticercosis, a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium).
The patient, a lifelong resident of Castellón, Spain, had not traveled to any regions where the disease is endemic, according to the case report published in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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The man had initially come to the hospital after suffering two weeks of progressive headaches and mild behavioral changes.
Radiologic findings from a study of autochthonous neurocysticercosis brain lesions mimicking metastatic disease. (Emerging Infectious Diseases)
CT scans showed multiple abnormal spots that looked like tumors that had spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, leading doctors to suspect advanced brain cancer.
However, whole-body scans, a colonoscopy and specialized imaging failed to identify cancer anywhere in the patient’s body, the case report stated.
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When doctors performed a more detailed MRI, they discovered several fluid-filled cysts in the brain, some of which contained the head of a tapeworm. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.
The man was treated with a combination of albendazole and praziquantel (two antiparasitic medications), as well as corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. He successfully recovered with no complications, according to the case report.
CT scans (not pictured) showed multiple abnormal spots that looked like tumors that had spread from cancer elsewhere in the body, leading doctors to suspect advanced brain cancer. (iStock)
The authors suggested that the patient may have gotten the infection after accidentally ingesting microscopic tapeworm eggs years earlier.
The exposure may have occurred while working a construction job with migrant coworkers from regions where neurocysticercosis is endemic.
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People can catch the pork tapeworm in two different ways. Eating undercooked infected pork usually leads to an intestinal tapeworm, but accidentally swallowing the parasite’s eggs — typically through food or water contaminated with feces — can send the larvae into the bloodstream, where they may form cysts in the brain and other organs. This can cause the disease the patient in the case report acquired.
A photomicrograph shows histopathologic features in a brain tissue specimen from a case of neurocysticercosis caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. The image documents pathological changes associated with this parasitic infection. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
As this was just a single case, the source of transmission could not be proven, the researchers acknowledged, and the findings cannot be generalized to a wider population. The report shows that there is a possibility of local transmission in non-endemic settings, but cannot establish how often this occurs.
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In the United States, less than 2% of neurocysticercosis cases are considered domestically acquired, according to the case report.
A prior systematic review identified only 18 confirmed locally acquired cases in Western Europe between 1990 and 2011.
The authors suggested that the patient may have gotten the infection after accidentally ingesting microscopic tapeworm eggs years earlier. (Associated Press)
In some cases, NCC can cause serious symptoms, including seizures, stroke, neurological deficits and cognitive decline.
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“Our case emphasizes that the absence of travel history should not preclude NCC from the differential diagnosis of multiple ring-enhancing brain lesions, even in regions where metastatic cancer is statistically much more likely,” the researchers concluded in the case study.
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Detecting the worms earlier could have prevented “unnecessary invasive oncologic procedures and led to prompt, targeted antiparasitic therapy,” they added.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
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