Home » Caregiver Stress
Tag:

Caregiver Stress

Caregiving

10 Signs of Caregiver Stress

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

When you’re caring for someone else, and running your own household, your needs tend to fall to the bottom of the list. While this is a perfectly normal response, it isn’t the healthiest response. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so taking care of your needs is not selfish, it is critical. 10 Signs of Caregiver Stress

Easier said than done, I know. I am the worst at following this advice. I have been known to push myself to the point of illness to take care of everyone else’s needs. In fact, I was reviewing resumes for drivers while in the hospital after giving birth so that my clients would still have transportation after an employee quit. This isn’t me bragging about my superwoman abilities, this is me pointing out a major flaw. Because I push myself far past the breaking point, I deal with a lot of stress-related health issues. I am really trying to focus 2016 on making sure I care for myself, while caring for others and I encourage you to do the same.

These are the top 10 signs of caregiver stress and ways to relieve it. Join me in taking better care of yourself this year.

  1. Denial about your parent’s condition and the effect on the person who’s been diagnosed. For example, thinking, “I know mom is going to get better,” rather than addressing the condition. Knowledge is power. Research the condition and speak with your parent’s medical provider on what to expect and how you can manage the condition.
  2. Anger at the caree or others, anger that no cure exists and anger that people don’t understand what’s going on. For example, “I don’t have time to shop for my mom, why can’t she just do it herself?” If you are feeling angry or frustrated with your caree, you may need to take a step back. Enlist help from a sibling, neighbor, friend or community program. If your parent has dementia, consider an adult day care program a few days a week to give yourself some downtime. If your parent needs more help around the house than you are able to provide, consider hiring a caregiver or a college student to do some light housekeeping. It is normal to get frustrated with the situation and you deserve a break. Don’t feel like you can’t step away.
  3. Social withdrawal from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. Have you stopped participating in your book club or meeting your friends for brunch? This could be a sign of depression or a sign that you are overwhelmed. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know that you need support. If it is to the point where you just can’t bear to be around people, you may want to consider speaking with a therapist or clergy member.
  4. Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holds. Are you constantly thinking about what will happen when your parent needs more care than you can provide? Rather than thinking about all the what-ifs, make a list of your concerns and ways to overcome the challenges. Having a plan in place will help make the unknown less scary.
  5. Depression that begins to break your spirit and affects your ability to cope. If you feel like you don’t care anymore, you should consider talking to someone. Speak with a counselor, join a support group or schedule time with a friend to get away from the constant stressors.
  6. Exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. If you are feeling like no matter how much you sleep, you don’t have the energy to get through the day, you need to take time for yourself to recover. Take a morning walk or set aside 10 minutes to meditate. Figure out what works for you to re-energize and work it into your daily routine. It doesn’t have to require a large time commitment.
  7. Sleeplessness caused by a never-ending list of concerns. Do you have a constant to-do list running through your head or are you thinking of the what-ifs regarding your parent’s condition? I struggle with insomnia, so I am definitely not an expert on this one, and even when I wear myself out, I still have difficulty sleeping. Some things that have worked for me include making a to do list, reading a magazine before bed (if I try to read a book, I have a hard time putting it down), take a warm bath and stretch before bed.
  8. Irritability that lends to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. Do you just want to be left alone and does everything everyone around you does annoy you? It probably isn’t them, it’s you. If you can, take some time for yourself to do something you love. Get out in nature, go to the library, go somewhere quiet where you won’t be bothered. If you are caring for someone who can’t be left alone, consider bringing in help for an hour every week or every other week so that you can have time to just think about your needs.
  9. Lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. Are you forgetting appointments or did you drive home and miss the off ramp? You may have too much on your plate. Take some time to think of how you can take things off your plate. I have some tips for caregivers in the sandwich generation that work for anyone, as well as caregiver shortcuts that could help.
  10. Health problems that begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. Sadly, I am an expert at this one. Stress can cause major health issues from headaches to diabetes. Finding ways to reduce your stress is critical to living a long, healthy life. Find things that reduce stress for you – exercise, laugh more, knit, color, spend time with your friends. Whatever it is that helps you reduce your stress levels, make sure that you find ways to squeeze it into your day. Your health depends on it. If you are having a tough time coming up with stress relievers, check out my post on finding joy and 8 things happy people do for some ideas.

Caregiving can sometimes be a thankless job that comes with time constraints that make it difficult to practice self-care. Don’t let yourself fall to the bottom of the to do list. How can you incorporate stress relief into your life?

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging
Caregiving

Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving and Aging

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

There is No Shame in Negative Emotions Tied to Caregiving – It’s How You Respond to Them that Matters

Aging and caregiving have so many emotions tied to them, unfortunately, some aren’t as positive as we’d like. Rather than feel embarrassed about your emotions, or trying to ignore or hide the emotions, it is better for your well-being to understand them and accept them. Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging
When we ignore our emotions, they just get bigger. You can’t run from your feelings so it is important to explore your feelings and find ways to accept them or cope with the negative emotions.

Sadness:

Both the caregiver and caree can experience sadness during the caregiving journey. The caree may mourn the body or mind that they used to have. It can be difficult to accept that you can’t do all of the things you used to do. It can also be hard to have to rely on your child, or other family members. Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging
The caregiver can also feel sadness about the person their parent or spouse has become. It is difficult to see a loved one struggle. There is also sadness about the new role of caregiver. Becoming someone’s caregiver is very rewarding, but it is also a huge sacrifice. Free time will become a luxury and the financial and emotional toll is high.

Resentment:

A caree may resent their caregiver for a number of reasons. They can resent that their child or spouse is telling them what to do or handling tasks that they previously handled. They can resent the situation. No one wants to become dependent on someone else. They can also resent that it changes their role in the relationship and how it makes them feel.
A caregiver can also experience resentment that they no longer have the freedom to go away or check out. They may resent that there is so much on their plate and they are under a lot of stress. They can also resent the financial toll or the impact caregiving has on their career or social responsibilities. A caregiver can also resent the toll on their social life, particularly if they have had to make major life changes. Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging

Anger:

If someone is experiencing sadness and resentment, it may turn to anger, particularly if it is a long-term lifestyle change. Anger is a common expression of grief, which both caregivers and carees go through as life as they know it is altered.
The caree can become angry over their current situation and take out their anger on the closest target – their caregiver. The caregiver may be angry over their new situation or the toll caregiving takes on their life.

How to Cope with Caregiver Emotions:

While it isn’t easy to move past sadness, resentment and anger, if you are in a long-term caregiving relationship for someone you love, it is critical to your relationship that you do. Once you understand why the person is lashing out or handling the transition badly, it can be easier to not take things so personally.
Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of your situation, work together to accept it and create a new normal. For example, if your mother is grieving over the fact that she can no longer prepare her favorite meals and her way of expressing it is to criticize your cooking, have her guide your cooking. Sit together and go over her recipes, or bring her into the kitchen to walk you through her preparations. Yes, it can take more time and we don’t always have a lot of time, but she’ll feel like she has more to contribute and more value.
Try to bring some joy and play into your new situation. Your caree may be focused on all of the negative aspects of his or her health and you may be bogged down in running two families, which can feel depressing. Bringing some fun and humor into your situation will help you both feel better.
Give each other space. You and your parent probably have not spent this much time together in a long time. Your parent has been living alone for some time and you have set up your own life. Blending the lives of independent adults is difficult. Give each other some space. Read a book in your room or set up a TV in your parent’s room. You don’t need to be together every minute of every day.
Respect your parent’s routine. If you have become a morning person but your dad likes to stay up late watching movies and wake up around 11 a.m., don’t go bursting into his room at 8 a.m. encouraging him to join you for breakfast. Obviously, you are not a diner serving up meal at all hours of the day, but prepare something that can keep and leave it for him to enjoy when he is ready. If medication is an issue, discuss his schedule with his doctor to be sure pushing back the day to accommodate his schedule is safe.
Understanding where you are each coming from and respecting each other’s needs can make your caregiving journey run smoothly.

Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging

Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging Understanding the Difficult Emotions Behind Caregiving And Aging
 
 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Caregiving

5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Though caregiving for a loved one can be rewarding, it can also involve various stressors that can lead to long-term health issues. An estimated 25-29% of caregivers provide assistance to someone with a form of a dementia or cognitive impairment. The long hours, financial pressures, changes in family and life dynamic can definitely add up, ultimately leading to caregiver burnout. In fact, in 2015, friends and family of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementias provided an estimated 18.1 billion hours of unpaid care. 5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Caregiver burnout is a result of physical, emotional and mental variety, as the demands of caregiving can take a serious toll on someone’s health. Burnout will ultimately hurt both you and the loved one you’re caring for. This is why taking time to rest and recharge as a caregiver is a necessity to avoid physical and emotional issues that range from heart disease to depression. Here are tips be to manage your burnout: 5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

  1. Have An Emotional Outlet

    The act of expressing your feelings and frustrations are extremely cathartic and necessary. Find a trustworthy friend, co-worker or neighbor to talk to. Talking to a therapist, social worker, or care giver support group can also be helpful since they are trained to give advice on complex physical and emotional issues. Withdrawal from family and friends can be a sign of burnout. Creating an emotional outlet will also build a circle of people you trust and confide in, which is crucial for your mental and emotional health.

  2. Prioritize Your Own Health Too

    We all know the practices–eat right, exercise often, and get sufficient sleep. Healthy foods give us sufficient energy and clear minds. Exercise is a powerful stress reliever. Sleep is an essential part of productivity. Stay on top of your emotional health by accepting your feelings and the inevitable frustrations. Don’t skip any medical check-ups. Meditate to boost spirits. Remember that if your health suffers, so will the care of your loved one. Therefore, maintain your health and strong immune system.

  3. Ask For Help

    Take advantage of respite care services when you need the break to avoid risk of pushing yourself too hard. Help can range from a few hours of in-home care, to a short stay at an assisted-living facility. Silverado Care in particular offers programs such as Silverado Flex Care and Overnight Care. Respite care programs provide a temporary relief to the family and also give your loved one a place to socialize, engage in activities, or even get any medical care needed.

  4. Set Aside Time For Yourself

    Taking time to decompress doesn’t always mean taking a week-long vacation. Even if it’s 30 minutes a day for yourself to do whatever you enjoy, it makes a key difference. In fact, one of the signs of caregiver exhaustion include loss in hobbies or interests. Spend time finishing reads on your book list, light candles and take a bath, boost your spirits by seeing a comedy show. These actions help compartmentalize yourself from your caregiving tasks.

  5. Educate Yourself 5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

    You can give better care the more you know about your loved one’s condition. Use your resources like assisted living centers and support groups to stay educated. 5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
    Click here for 10 Tips to Reduce Caregiving Stress 5 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Keeping Caregivers Healthy
Caregiving

Keeping Caregivers Healthy

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Take Steps to Maintain Your Health Now for your Long-Term Well-being

Caregivers have demands on their physical and emotional energy, but what you don’t realize is the impact on your health. It can be easy to put your health maintenance at the bottom of your to do list since there isn’t an outside force demanding your time or energy. Keeping Caregivers Healthy
The problem is, chronic stress leads to major health problems such as headaches, heart disease, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, weight gain and memory problems. By constantly putting your needs at the bottom of your list, you run the risk of one or more of these serious conditions. Keeping Caregivers Healthy
Being a good caregiver means caring for yourself. If you let your health decline, you can’t care for others. Before you think, it can’t happen to me, I’m healthy/strong, consider these facts: Keeping Caregivers Healthy

  • Studies consistently report higher levels of depressive symptoms in caregivers than non-caregivers.
  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease caregivers suffer from depression and emotional stress 30-40% more frequently than non-caregivers.
  • Caregivers have less self-acceptance and feel less effective and less in control of their lives than non-caregivers.
  • Caregivers who experience chronic stress may be at greater risk for cognitive decline including loss in short-term memory, attention and verbal IQ.

So what can you do, when you have so little time? Here are simple ways to take better care of yourself to ward off health issues. While it can be difficult squeezing self-care in to your day, remember that you can’t care for someone else if you don’t first care for yourself. You can also try to work it into your care routine and include your caree.

  • Eat a balanced diet. Poor nutrition or rushing through meals can endanger your health in the long run. Eating well doesn’t have to be difficult. There are cooking shortcuts to work it into a packed schedule.
  • Get regular health check-ups by your health care providers. Caregivers are most likely to cancel their own medical appointments and not fill a prescription due to cost. The long-term effect can be damaging.
  • Avoid extra work. Prioritize your tasks and keep a list of what needs to be done each day and a “maybe someday list.” Be kind to yourself. Recognize that there are only so many hours in the day and you can’t do it all. It is OK to leave the clean laundry in the baskets or eat scrambled eggs for dinner.
  • Don’t feel guilty about setting limits for yourself. It is OK to say no. Not everything is an emergency and not everything is a need. When I am stressed out, I decide what is a need versus a want. A need is that I need to feed my family. A want is that it has to be a complicated home-cooked meal. Sometimes a rotisserie chicken and bagged salad from the grocery store is perfectly OK.
  • Take a walk, ride a bicycle, swim, stretch or even work in the garden. Just get your body moving. You don’t have to do it alone. Involve your caree in physical activities. Even if he/she is wheelchair bound, a walk around the block is great for both of you. You get exercise, he/she gets fresh air.
  • Take time for yourself to enjoy a hobby, read, or do something nice for yourself. Having things to look forward to can improve your outlook. You don’t have to take on big tasks. Try to read a few pages of a book before bed or watch a YouTube tutorial on a hobby you’d like to try.

Be kind to yourself. Being a caregiver is challenging and isolating. It can also be a thankless job. Your caree may not be able to express thanks, but know that you are doing great work.
Taking care of your well-being will not only benefit you now, but it will help your long-term health. Don’t put yourself last.

Keeping Caregivers Healthy

Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy Keeping Caregivers Healthy

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Caregiving

Respite Care for Family Caregivers

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When Is Respite Care Needed for Family Caregivers?

America is filled with unrecognized heroes. One group whose selflessness is consistently overlooked is family caregivers. Over 15 million Americans support family members through at-home care and assistance, providing over 17 billion combined hours of unpaid care each year. But even if that care is unpaid, it still comes at a cost, as any caregiver who’s suffered from caregiver stress syndrome can tell you. Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Too often, family caregivers find themselves overtaxed, over-stressed, and overwhelmed. This puts caregivers at risk of burnout and can lead to high levels of mental and physical strain. One solution is respite care by family members, home health care professionals, or non-medical home care agencies.
Respite care gives family caregivers a way to make time for self-care, even while remaining their loved one’s primary caregiver. If you think you might benefit from respite care, consider the following…

Are You at Risk of Caregiver Stress & Burnout?

Family caregivers tend to go above and beyond when caring for their loved ones, but this can often result in caregivers stretching themselves thin — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many family caregivers spend more time on care than they would at a full-time job, and it can sometimes feel like your loved one’s care has taken over your life. Respite Care for Family Caregivers
This results in what is called caregiver stress or, in the most extreme cases, caregiver burnout. Some of the signs of caregiver burnout include:

  • Anxiety, anger, and depression
  • Exhaustion and lack of sleep
  • Sudden changes in eating habits
  • Fluctuations in weight and physical fitness
  • Over-reliance on medications, alcohol, or other drugs
  • Feelings of resentment toward the care recipient

While steps such as meditation, therapy, or a healthier lifestyle can relieve caregiver stress, sometimes these changes aren’t enough. When this is the case, you may need another person who can help share the load and give you the time you need to take care of yourself.

Options for Respite Care

There are a few different types of respite care available to family caregivers, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Before turning to professional respite care providers, see if family members can assist with care. While family members won’t have the experience or training of a professional caregiver, they will have a pre-existing relationship with your loved one. That relationship is often invaluable when caring for an elderly person.
Other options include medical and non-medical respite care. Which kind of care you choose will depend on your loved one’s specific care needs. If your loved one relies on you for help with taking medications, for instance, then medical home care will be your best choice. On the other hand, if your loved one does not need medical assistance, then non-medical home care is often the more affordable option.
If you’re looking for non-medical respite care, you may wish to consider your local Visiting Angels home care agency. Visiting Angels caregivers offer flexible care plans, including respite care, to help share the load with family caregivers.

Respite Care for Family Caregivers

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Personal Consulting for Seniors
Caregiving

Senior Respite Helps Caregivers

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Senior Respite Helps Caregivers

Senior Respite Helps CaregiversCaregiving is a very hard job. The Center for Disease Control has reported that caregivers end up suffering a lot because of all they do.

  • 35% of caregivers believe it’s hard to find time for themselves
  • 29% suffer emotional and physical stress
  • 54% report that their health is worse
  • 29% have a hard time finding a work life balance

Since caregiving is so incredibly hard, many people decide to take advantage of respite. Senior Respite Helps Caregivers

What Is Respite?

Respite care is often offered by assisted living communities. They provide short-term stays for seniors whose caregivers need a break. They take care of seniors for that short time, so caregivers do not have to worry.
Does this sound like something you would like to take advantage of? If so, I recommend doing it. You work so hard for your older loved one, so take some time to pay attention to your care.
Actually, the National Respite Network advises that caregivers use respite before they become exhausted. This is what prevents burn out and stress related illnesses and diseases.
Some caregivers find respite care to be better than having someone come to their loved one’s house because it’s a different environment. A change of pace can do wonders for your loved one, especially when he or she can meet some people. Not only is this a benefit for you, it’s a benefit for your loved one.

How to Get Respite Care Set Up for Your Loved One

All you have to do to set up respite care is contact assisted living facilities around your local area. Not all of these places offer respite, but many do, so find the ones that do and arrange an interview. During the interview, you can ask questions about how their respite care services work. You can take a tour of the community, and then decide if it’s something your older loved one would like. If possible, bring your loved one with you. This way he or she can have a say about which one is better.
When you’re ready to use respite care, contact the director and arrange the stay. You will need to bring everything that the assisted living facility has requested. If you do not have something, ask if that is okay before you go to drop off your loved one. Sometimes, facilities will not care for your loved one without all of the items needed because of licensing requirements.

Additional Help Is Available

Do you need more help with your caregiving? Kendall Van Blarcom can help you. Offering information about respite care is only one of the ways that he helps people like you. He genuinely cares about you and wants to help you. By talking about your problems, he is able to help you solve them in the ways you want to. Learn more about his personal consulting services. It may just be what you need to turn your life around, so you and your older loved one can be happier and healthier.
Kendall Van Blarcom
www.KvanB.com

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail