Coping With Caregiver Stress

A caregiver is described by the Family Caregiving Alliance (FCA) as an individual who assists another person with medical care or tasks of daily living. The majority of caregivers are a spouse, child, parent or other family member or friend. According to the FCA, over 65 million people in the United States are caregivers. 

Caregivers may perform a wide variety of duties depending on their loved one’s medical condition. It is not uncommon for caregivers to give medication, and assist with bathing and toileting and meal preparation. Although acute illnesses, such as cancer, may lead to the need for a caregiver, it may only be temporary. People with serious chronic illnesses are more likely to need a caregiver. Long-term care facilities are an option for some people who require ongoing medical care. But in most cases, families care for a loved one at home. Common conditions that may require a caregiver include Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injuries and strokes.   

Caregiver Burnout And Stress 

No matter how much you care about someone, acting as their caregiver can become stressful. The reasons why caregiver stress occurs is varied. For example, if you are taking care of a person who is ill, it can be frightening. The uncertainty of the situation can make you worry, which builds anxiety.

The costs associated with living with a chronic illness can be high and cause stress among caregivers. Co-payments, medications and other expenses can add up. There may also be lost wages, which compounds the financial difficulties. 

In addition, the demands of constant care can become overwhelming. Depending on your family member’s condition, he or she may require around the clock care. You also never know when a crisis will develop. If care is demanding, it can leave little time for other activities, which also increases stress.

If you are taking care of a loved one, you probably focus on them and not yourself. But if you develop complications related to stress and health problems, you will not be good to anyone. It is important to recognize signs of caregiver stress and find ways to cope.

Signs of caregiver stress include feeling tired all the time and being depressed and anxious. Being irritable and having trouble sleeping are also signs. Some caregivers may also become resentful or have trouble concentrating. Additionally, caregivers who develop stress and burnout may have trouble relating and become impatient with the person they are caring for. Feelings of helplessness are also common. 

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Taking care of another person if you have burnout is not an option for anyone. Without getting the proper help, caregiver burnout can lead to health problems for the caregiver, as well as inadequate care for the ill person.  

Taking Care Of The Caregiver

With all the causes of stress associated with being a caregiver, it is essential to recognize the signs of stress early and get help. But in addition to treating caregiver stress, preventing it in the first place is optimal.

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

It can be impossible to prevent all stress if you are a caregiver. Just watching a loved one deal with a serious illness is upsetting and stressful, but there are things you can do prevent stress from turning into caregiver burnout.

Talk about it: Talking about your feelings with a friend or family member can be helpful. Another alternative is joining a caregiver support group. Being a caregiver can be isolating at times. Talking to others who are in a similar situation can help.  

Exercise: Although it may not always be possible, try to get exercise every day. Even if you only carve out 30 minutes a day to exercise, it can do a lot of good. The activity you do is not as important as just getting out and moving.

Take time for yourself: Everyone needs a little time to recharge. Do what you can to make a little time for yourself. Go to a movie, have lunch with a friend, pursue a hobby or walk your dog.

Realize your limits: Depending on your situation, it can be difficult to be a caregiver, work and handle other responsibilities. Some caregiver also take care of other family members and household responsibilities. There are only so many hours in the day, you cannot always do everything. Realizing you have limits can help you understand the need for help. 

Get professional help: If you are experiencing caregiver burnout and are not feeling any relief from the steps you have taken, you may need to seek professional guidance. A counselor or therapist may be able to provide you with additional resources and ways to cope with caregiver stress. 

Prioritize: Divide up things you need to do into categories, including critical, important, and nonessential. Handle the most important tasks first and if other things have to wait, learn to accept that.

Tips for Getting the Care You Need

Whether you feel you may be developing caregiver burnout or just want to prevent it from happening, there are several things you can do to take care of yourself. For starters, change your mindset a little. When you are a caregiver, you cannot always put yourself last. There are times when you need to make yourself a priority. Think about it. If you are unhealthy mentally or physically, you will not be able to do your best for the person you are taking care of. 

Another thing you can do is ask for help from others. Keep in mind that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It just means you recognize the fact you cannot always do everything yourself. Consider asking other family members or friends to share the workload. It might be something simple, like bringing over a meal once a week or doing yard work.

If you don’t have anyone to rely on for help, or you need additional assistance, utilize community resources. Many communities have organizations, which provide services and assistance to caregivers. You may be able to locate services through your local hospital or your loved one’s doctor. 

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Lastly, do not neglect your own health. Eat healthy, exercise and get enough sleep. See your doctor for routine health screenings and checkups and don’t delay getting medical attention when you don’t feel well.