CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today Survey Shows Family Caregivers Find Caring for Loved Ones More Rewarding Than Anticipated
10 July 2007 - 11:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
New Study Also Uncovers Confusion about Medications WOONSOCKET,
R.I. and WESTPORT, Conn., July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study
released today by CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today magazine found that
family caregivers find the caregiving experience more enjoyable
than anticipated and form a greater bond with the care recipient
than expected. Additionally it revealed that prepared caregivers
have a more positive experience than those who were unprepared. The
CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today 2007 Caregiver Insights Study: Well-
Being and Care Management was conducted to better understand the
impact of caregiving on caregivers' lives. The survey examined many
aspects of family caregiving, including relationships, impact on
health and emotional well- being, available resources and
medication management. According to the study, the vast majority of
participants (76 percent) reported that, in general, they enjoyed
the tasks associated with being a family caregiver. In addition, 54
percent indicated that they have bonded with their care recipient
more than they had anticipated. The study also found that the level
of preparedness makes a difference in the caregiving experience.
While only 26 percent of respondents found themselves prepared for
the role of caregiver, the ones that were prepared were
significantly less likely to experience feelings of depression.
Prepared caregivers were also significantly more likely than
unprepared caregivers to eat properly, feel focused and continue to
see friends. "While it's difficult for anyone to really be prepared
to take on the monumental challenge of being the primary caregiver
for someone, this study shows that it's never too early to start
thinking that one day this might be a reality -- and to start
learning about resources out there to help," said Victor Imbimbo,
president and CEO of Caring Today, LLC. Caregiving and Medication
The CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today study also surveyed trends in
medication management by caregivers. Caregivers reported that their
care recipients take an average of 4.5 prescription drugs and 46
percent take five or more. The vast majority (87 percent) of
respondents reported that understanding medication is very
important to them. Caregivers' primary concerns are not knowing
enough about how drugs interact (36 percent) and not being able to
recognize side effects (21 percent). "Caregiver confusion about
medications is understandable, especially when administering more
than one," says Papatya Tankut, vice president, Pharmacy
Professional Services at CVS/pharmacy. "Caregivers can have
questions about side effects, adverse interactions, and timing of
dosages. We encourage them to discuss these questions with their
pharmacists, in addition to the prescribing physician." The study
revealed that fewer than half of caregivers (46 percent) talk with
the pharmacist to learn more about the medications their care
recipient is taking. The survey also found that in less than 44
percent of responses, all of a person's medicines are coordinated
by one doctor. And in as much as 20 percent of the cases, the care
recipient's prescriptions are filled at multiple pharmacies. "To
avoid potential interactions, caregivers should inform their doctor
and pharmacist of all the prescriptions, over the counter
medications, herbal remedies and vitamins a patient is taking,"
advised Tankut. Help for Caregivers CVS Pharmacists are always
available for in-store consultations with caregivers regarding
medication management for their loved ones. In addition,
CVS/pharmacy offers tools and resources for caregivers to help
better manage medications for their loved ones. As part of the
"Extra Care for Caregivers" program, http://www.cvs.com/care will
launch in July. The website will feature answers to frequently
asked questions on caregiving and a downloadable medication
management tool. The medication management tool is an easy way for
a caregiver to track the various medications the care recipient is
taking. In addition, caregivers can link to additional services
like power of attorney forms and the National Council on Aging's
BenefitsCheckUp tool, which can help caregivers find and enroll in
federal, state, local and private programs to help pay for
prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, healthcare and other
needs. Survey Methodology The CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today 2007
Caregiver Insights Study conducted by Anderson Analytics is an
online survey of 514 qualified adults 18 and over fielded between
April 26, 2007 and May 20, 2007. The survey participants are from a
proprietary panel and were prescreened to qualify for the study.
Margin of error of +/-4.3% at the 95% confidence level. About
CVS/pharmacy CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark
Corporation, is America's largest retail pharmacy with
approximately 6,200 retail locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to
serving the healthcare needs of all customers by being the easiest
pharmacy for customers to use, both in its stores and online at
CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is
available at http://www.cvs.com/pressroom, as well as
http://investor.cvs.com/. About Caring Today, LLC Caring Today,
LLC, through its magazine and website, is the leading provider of
practical advice and resources for family caregivers. Since 2004,
the Connecticut-based multiplatform media company has delivered
expertise and support to the estimated 50 million American family
caregivers through http://www.caringtoday.com/ and Caring Today, a
bimonthly magazine with a national circulation of 750,000.
Contacts: Carolyn Castel Christine Restrepo CVS/pharmacy Caring
Today (401) 770-5717 (203) 254-0783 ext. 101 DATASOURCE:
CVS/pharmacy CONTACT: Carolyn Castel of CVS/pharmacy,
+1-401-770-5717, ; or Christine Restrepo of Caring Today,
+1-203-254-0783 ext. 101, Web site: http://www.cvs.com/
http://www.caringtoday.com/
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