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Care for the Caregiver

Even helpers need help

 

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Sometimes, the most devoted caregivers need care, too.

 

In 2012, Adela Q. became unemployed and without medical coverage. Soon after, the mother of three and grandmother of eight received a colon cancer diagnosis and enrolled in Medi-Cal. It wasn’t until Adela became her mother’s caregiver and signed her up for IEHP that she first became aware of “the health plan with a heart.”

 

“IEHP truly stands out,” said Adela in Spanish. “So far, every benefit we have applied for through them has been approved.”

 

Then Adela made the switch to IEHP for herself.

 

After taking care of her mother for 10 years before she died in 2022, Adela became her husband’s primary caretaker while also helping with additional support for other family members.

Most recently, Adela changed her husband’s health insurance to IEHP so he could receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) to help with his multiple chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and other lasting effects from a stroke.

 

Wrapped up in all the care Adela provided to others, she didn’t notice her own suffering.

 

But IEHP did.

Stepping in with help

“In assessing the husband for his health support needs, I learned Adela had been experiencing some health challenges of her own,” said Sandra Dominguez, a registered nurse on IEHP’s Integrated Transitional Care (ITC) team. “So, we stepped in with some additional resources for her — behavioral health and community support services — because caregivers can get overwhelmed and overlook their well-being.”

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), caregivers are at increased risk for having multiple chronic diseases as “they may neglect their own personal health needs while providing care to others.”

 

In fact, CDC reports 53.4% of caregivers ages 65 and older have two or more chronic conditions, while 34.8% of caregivers ages 45 to 64 have two chronic conditions.

 

Adela has prediabetes and high cholesterol but found a place to improve her physical and emotional health at Miracle Adult Day Health Care in San Bernardino. The programs are covered by Medi-Cal.
 

“They host various events for us, and — true to its name — it has worked several ‘miracles’ for me since I started coming here,” said Adela, who now regularly takes free Zumba classes and more. “They provide us with services, therapies, events, games and meals.”

 

IEHP representatives also meet regularly with Adela and other members at the center, always checking to make sure they are fully supported in their health and well-being.

 

“A healthy, supported caregiver is a better caregiver,” Dominguez said. “We are here to make sure all our members can experience optimal care and vibrant health.”

Better days

 

“Honestly, I find it deeply fulfilling to care for him, to do so much for him, and to remain active in other activities as well,” she said.

 

She also remains thankful she and her husband enrolled in IEHP.

 

“I am deeply grateful to IEHP for all the services they provide, such as prepaid cards, transportation and medications, for which we incur no out-of-pocket costs,” said Adela, adding she appreciates the extra sense of connection and care IEHP offers. “This makes me feel secure, and I am very pleased.”