Eldercare Community Discovers the Power of Social Networks

Alberta, Canada, June 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- EldercareABC is the premier online blogging community for caregivers of aging parents, introducing caregivers to the power of social networks. In combination with it’s recently launched EldercareABC.com social network site, the company is walking its talk by building a support network designed by caregivers for caregivers. Every member of the ABC team have cared for or is caring for an aging parent.

44.3 Million people in the US are acting as caregivers. The number of people 60+ with a living parent has more than quadrupled since the 1940’s. That means that if you are not a caregiver now there’s a good chance you will be in the near future.

Eldercare ABC is announcing Mary Beth Sammons, formerly of Carepages.com, as the latest addition to their editorial staff. In her previous position, Sammons played a pivotal role in the on-line community building process. An award winning journalist and author, she has been involved in the eldercare arena for over 20 years.

“How we respond to the challenge of our aging parents is an important indicator of the quality of our society. We define ourselves and our society by how we care for and treat our children and elders,” says Mary Beth Sammons.

According to Stephen Joyce CEO of EldercareABC “Mary Beth brings with her a wealth of experience and a huge heart dedicated to the field of eldercare.” “We are delighted to have Ms. Sammons onboard and excited about the contribution she will make to the EldercareABC peer support community”.

The Eldercare ABC team have been extending their help for caregivers via social networks, with profiles in Facebook, Twitter and a host of other platforms. By providing practical and moral support from their forum on the new Eldercare ABC.com site, the team connects Boomers, Sandwich Gen and other generations facing the ‘aging-care’ challenge.

Regular contributors include:
· Mary Beth Sammons, author of ‘We Carry Each Other: Getting through Life’s Toughest Times’ and six other books.
· Mary Nix, an active advocate for senior citizens and former feature writer and online manager for the award-winning Home Education Magazine;
· Janice Wallace, “The Eldercare Coach” and the owner and founder of Caring for Caregivers;
· Christy Cuellar-Wentz, a counselor, coach and co-founder of Mommy-Muse.com.
· Mary Jane Stern, a Medicare and Medicaid specialist.

Research by the National Alliance of Caregivers has shown that the care giving experience can have serious effects on the health of the caregiver. Caregivers are 51% more likely to be taking more medications for their own health, and are 90 % more likely to have greater levels of stress and worry than non-caregivers. “From these statistics alone it is apparent that we need to provide greater levels of support to these essential contributors within our society” states Stephen Joyce.

Visitors to the site can now download a free e-book on eldercare finances, with valuable research and guidance on how to manage care costs.

For more information, visit Eldercareabcblog.com.

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AboutEldercareABCblog.com
EldercareABCblog.com is the premier online blog for caregivers providing information and support on all aspects of eldercare. A growing online community designed by caregivers for caregivers. Founded by Stephen and Sandra Joyce, EldercareABC is an online information resource for those caring for elderly parents. If it takes a village to raise a child what sort of community does it take to care for an elderly parent? This is the question the EldercareABC team have embraced. The “ABC” stands for “About Being Connected” and reflects EldercareABCs’ commitment to the power of community, empathy and peer support.