MerckManuals.com Offers Resources for Family Caregivers

KENILWORTH, N.J. (November 5, 2018)—Supportive information addressing the challenges faced by family caregivers of older adults will be highlighted on merckmanuals.com, an online medical reference, for National Family Caregivers Month in November.

Among the essays displayed at merckmanuals.com during the awareness campaign is one titled “Avoiding Caregiver Burnout,” by Merck Manual contributor Dr. Debra Bakerjian. The tips can be accessed directly here.

The themed content, which will be featured on the consumer landing page through Friday, November 16, will include an infographic from the Caregiver Action Network on the “Top 10 Tips for Family Caregivers.”

“Caregivers take on time-consuming and sometimes challenging duties, such as providing companionship, assisting with bathing and dressing, administering medications, running errands, and navigating the complex health care system,” said Debra Bakerjian, PhD, APRN, clinical professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, at UC Davis. “This becomes especially concerning when the workload causes caregivers to neglect their own health care.”

Caregiver Crunch
Many family caregivers often have difficulty balancing care for loved ones with managing their own health and well-being. In fact, survey results released in October by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that roughly a third of caregivers had neglected their own care while taking care of others.

The demands on this invisible workforce are expected to grow as the population ages, notes the AARP, which estimates that more than 40 million Americans provide unpaid care to older relatives or close friends.

Medical Information for All
Better known for biopharmaceuticals, Merck has provided the resources as a public service. Access to merckmanuals.com is unlimited and free to all. There is no registration, and the user experience is not compromised by advertising or commercial messaging.

The website expands on the information contained in The Merck Manuals, a series of medical reference books.

Online enhancements include expert commentary, infographics, animations, video clips, health calculators and trackers, quizzes, and a guide to pronunciation of medical terms.

More than 350 medical experts currently serve as contributors; content is reviewed by an independent editorial board and regularly updated online.