The Stress of Caregiving
We offer emotional support and practical advice to help manage stress and develop a personalized care plan. Plus, check out our free stress management tools and resources.
If you give direct or indirect care for a parent, spouse or elderly family member, you are certainly under a lot of pressure and stress. You don’t even have to live with a person to be considered a caregiver, you may be the person’s sole or primary support system. Perhaps you feel guilty because you think you aren’t doing enough, and you’re frustrated that you can’t do more.
More on the stress of caregiving….
Can’t remember the last time you slept through the night without a call from your parent? Can’t bear to see what’s happening to your mom or dad, whose health has been failing for some time?
You are not alone. Most everyone who provides major care for parents and/or a spouse experiences stress and depression. Studies show that long-term stress is not just unpleasant – it can seriously affect your health, well-being, and eventually your ability to provide care. Clearly, when you are caring for others, taking care of yourself and your needs is imperative.
Not only this, managing your stress will improve your physical and mental health to benefit yourself, your elderly loved ones, and others who depend on you.
Sometimes the major part of stress reduction is answering the questions “What can I do” and “what are my options.” Wherever you are in this mire of caregiving, we are here to help. We here at Caregiver Relief provide emotional support and practical advise in a variety of therapeutic modalities (pastoral counseling, caregiver coaching, guided imagery, geriatric care management). This is all a part of helping you to develop a care plan specific to you and your unique situation.
Caregivers the invisible patient. Caregivers Need Care too
If you give direct or indirect care for a parent, spouse or elderly family member, you are certainly under a lot of pressure and stress. You don’t even have to live with a person to be considered a caregiver, you may be the person’s sole or primary support system. Perhaps you feel guilty because you think you aren’t doing enough, and you’re frustrated that you can’t do more.
Can’t remember the last time you slept through the night without a call from your parent? Can’t bear to see what’s happening to your mom or dad, whose health has been failing for some time?
You are not alone. Most everyone who provides major care for parents and/or a spouse experiences stress and depression. Studies show that long-term stress is not just unpleasant – it can seriously affect your health, well-being, and eventually your ability to provide care. Clearly, when you are caring for others, taking care of yourself and your needs is imperative.
Not only this, managing your stress will improve your physical and mental health to benefit yourself, your elderly loved ones, and others who depend on you.
The National Alliance for Caregiving offers tips on stress management, and suggests making a list of resources to help you fulfill caregiving responsibilities. These could include friends, family members or neighbors who can lend a hand; professional services that may provide respite care or financial assistance; and local organizations that offer support groups and other helpful programs. Create a team of Care Team Partners.
Taking breaks from your caregiver duties is also essential in managing stress. You are likely doing the best you can do, but remember to give yourself permission to take time away from your loved ones so you can relax. It may be hard to explain why it is important to take a break, but try explaining to those around you that “caregiver burnout” affects everyone involved and that taking occasional breaks is one way to prevent it. Finally, don’t forget to make time for yourself and the things you enjoy, such as reading a book or visiting friends.
How to Build a Care Team Partner Group
Remember that caregiving is both a rewarding and challenging experience. Giving attention and care to someone who needs help can be a fulfilling endeavor, but also stressful if proper self-care isn’t taken into account. Make sure to take breaks when necessary, utilize available resources, and engage in activities that will provide physical and mental relief during this intense period of your life. Taking these steps can greatly reduce caregiver stress and burden while enabling you to better manage difficult situations that may arise from providing care for an elderly family member or loved one.
In a few weeks we will be presenting a huge amount of information about stress, particularly stress management. Not only that, we go a step further and offer readers amazing tools for managing stress. These tools will be free, and they can be used right there in your own home.
Monitor your stress levels :
Read about a personal experience with caregiver stress
Try our Caregiver stress buster course
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Diane Carbo
