
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 17, 1990                   TAG: 9006270143
SECTION: SENIOR STYLE                    PAGE: SS-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VOLUNTEERS LEND A HAND TO CARE-GIVERS

On the average, women today spend 17 years of their lives caring for children and 18 years assisting aged parents, said a report issued in May by the Older Women's League.

"In 1989, a woman whose children are grown has completed, on average, less than half the care-giving she will provide during her life. Far from being free of responsibility, in many cases her most difficult years lie ahead," said Lou Glasse, the league's president.

Virginia Extension Homemakers clubs are aware of that concern, said Bette Jo Reiser of York County, chairman of the Homemaker's citizenship program. Extension Homemakers has as one of its goals helping those who are care-givers.

Called the volunteer Information Providers Program, it is part of the Extension Homemakers citizenship effort. Through it, they provide information, not only to those caring for elderly persons but also to those caring for the frail and handicapped.

"It is designed to get information to the care-givers," said Reiser.

Members of the Extension Homemaker clubs participate in training sessions in which they learn what is available in their communities to help the care-givers.

They learn about the social service system and other community resources that are available. They also learn some of the techniques that help in care-giving, such as helping a person to dress and bathe.

Once they have been trained, they are commited to giving this information to at least three persons who are providing care for someone who is frail, elderly or handicapped.

By continuing to work with this program, the Virginia Extension Homemakers can make a difference to those who are providing care, said Reiser.

The study by the Older Women's League found that the average care-giver is a 45-year-old married woman, although 35 percent of the care-givers to the elderly, usually spouses, are themselves older than 65. Ten percent are more than 75 years of age.

Women account for 72 percent of the care-givers, said the study that was based on census data and congressional, academic and other sources concerning the elderly.

by CNB