Caregiver Stress

Most Americans will be informal and unpaid caregivers at some point in their lives to an elderly or disabled person age 18 or older. Altogether, informal caregivers provide 80 percent of the long-term care in the United States.

While each care-giving situation is different, caregivers are likely to experience enormous stress from their responsibilities. Many caregivers do not recognize they need help until the problems seem overpowering and/or unsolvable. For this reason, identifying stress and finding practical ways to cope are especially important.

Symptoms of caregiver stress:

Denial about the level of stress involved in being a caregiver
Anger at the loved one for needing continual care
Social withdrawal from family, friends and activities that once brought pleasure
Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holds
Feelings of depression that drain energy and affect the ability to cope
Exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks
Sleeplessness caused by worry, feelings of guilt and a never-ending list of concerns
Irritability that can lead to pessimism and negativity
Lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks
Health problems that take their toll on mental and physical functioning

Ways to reduce caregiver stress:

Know the resources that are available in your community
Become educated on the disease and care-giving techniques
Get involved with local support groups
Get help from family, friends and community resources
Take care of yourself! Watch your diet, exercise and get plenty of rest
Manage your level of stress by consulting a physician and using relaxation techniques
Accept changes as they occur. Do legal and financial planning early in the disease process
Be realistic about what you can do
Give yourself credit, not guilt, if you lose your patience or can’t do everything on your own

Learn more:

If you suspect that you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with a caregiver stress, reach out to your health care provider.

There are many resources available to assist caregivers including information and referral sources. Visit HelpGuide.org to learn more about those resources and coping strategies.

Credit: Frontier Behavioral Health. Used with permission.