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Surviving Caregiver Stress

Being a caregiver can be very satisfying. It also can be challenging and stressful. We all need to have stress in our lives to be functional. It helps us to set goals, motivates us to finish work, and gives structure to our days. When "stress" becomes "distress," problems start to arise. Your personal situation combined with your reaction to the added duties and methods used to cope will decide how much, if any, "distress" you experience.

Caregivers generally juggle many responsibilities at once. It is not unusual for a caregiver to have child raising and employment responsibilities at the same time as providing care for one or more family members. Other things may further complicate the situation; the person being cared for may not know the caregiver any more; they may be too ill to talk or complete simple tasks or they may have behavior problems, like yelling, hitting and wandering. These and any number of characteristics related to the care situation may contribute to caregiver stress.

Caregiving can be very rewarding but it can also contribute to negative feelings. Below are some common feelings experienced by caregivers:

Frustration - Frustration associated with being unable to control the caregiving situation, of not being able to meet the demands of others and/or being torn by competing responsibilities.

Guilt - Guilt is a common contributor to caregiver stress. A caregiver may feel pulled in many directions due to multiple responsibilities. This may make them feel guilty for not being available as much as they would like.

Loss - Caregivers have to cope with many losses. Loss of the life the caregiver used to have. Feeling the loss of relationships, leisure time and activities and loss associated with the person they are caring for.

Helplessness - The helplessness of being powerless to improve the health of the person they are caring for. The helplessness of being unable to receive the assistance they need from government agencies and other family members.

Anger - Anger because the caregiver is frustrated and does not know what else to do. Anger because their loved one is dying or does not appreciate their assistance.

These felling are not wrong or unusual. They are natural human responses. It is when these feelings begin to overwhelm the caregiver that problems arise. Accordingly, it is important for caregivers to take care of themselves and recognize the signs of caregiver stress. After all, if the caregiver becomes ill they will not be able to help anyone else.

As caregivers, you juggle many responsibilities. The stress associated with these responsibilities can lead to increased feelings of frustration, guilt, loss, helplessness, and anger.

Consequently, it is important for caregivers to take care of themselves and recognize the signs of caregiver stress. A good caregiver is as physically and mentally healthy as possible because they are better able to meet the needs of the person they care for when their own needs are met as well.

Is Caregiving Putting Too Much Stress on You?

Too much stress can make you sick. It is like burning a candle at both ends. Eventually there is nothing left to burn resulting in a melt-down. That is why it is important to know the signs of caregiver stress and how to prevent it.

Signs of caregiver stress are specific to the individual and vary depending on the situation. Warning signs of heightened caregiver stress may include any of the following:

Depression, headaches and/or stomach aches
Sleeping difficulties, lack of concentration
Anxious, irritable, cry and/or get angry more
Feel like cannot cope anymore
Eat, smoke, and/or drink more
Social withdrawal
Exhaustion
Increased health problems

Can You Prevent or Reduce Caregiver Stress?

It is impossible to eliminate all stress from your life. But there are things that you can do to help cope and possibly reduce the effect caregiver stress has on you. Below are some suggestions from health professionals and fellow caregivers that may help reduce caregiver stress.

ASK FOR HELP

Be realistic about what you can do. You cannot do everything yourself. Share caregiving with others. Ask for and accept help from family, friends, neighbors, professionals, and volunteer groups.
Hold a family meeting to distribute responsibilities.
Know what resources are available in your community and use
Talk to others . It is important for you to be able to talk to others about what you are going through and how you are feeling.
Join a support group.

ACCEPTANCE

Examine your reason for becoming a caregiver. Be honest with yourself and examine the effect caregiving will have on your life. Know your limitations.
Accept that the person you are caring for will not always do what you think is best. You cannot change the person you care for, but you can change your own expectations to match the situation and reduce the level of frustration you feel. Don't feel guilty if you lose patience or can't do everything on your own.
Accept changes as they occur.
Give yourself credit for what you have accomplished!

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF - MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY

Eat a healthy diet and exercise. Exercising can be beneficial in reducing stress.
Get enough sleep
Make time for yourself. Realize that it is OK to laugh and have fun, pursue a hobby, visit with friends, etc. Learn to say "no" when you want to say no.
Try to stay positive.
Manage your level of stress by using different relaxation techniques. There are a number of different techniques you can use including; breathing exercises, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, massage, listening to music, stretching, etc. Try a number of different methods until you find what works best for you. The time you spend learning different ways to cope will allow you to better cope and deal with the strains of caregiving.

Remember it is just as important for you to care for yourself as it is for the one(s) you care for. If at any time you feel that the stress of caregiving has become unmanageable, please consult your physician. If you would like more information or think you may be experiencing excessive caregiver stress,

please call the Caregiver Line 1-888-571-2273. Remember we are here for you!


	About Us Caregiver-Line Newsletter Regional Caregiver Network Written Resources Contact Us Seniors Resource Home Resources Written Resources Surviving Caregiver Stress VON Canada: Caregiver Connect Portal Surviving Caregiver Stress Being a caregiver can be very satisfying. It also can be challenging and stressful. We all need to have stress in our lives to be functional. It helps us to set goals, motivates us to finish work, and gives structure to our days. When "stress" becomes "distress," problems start to arise. Your personal situation combined with your reaction to the added duties and methods used to cope will decide how much, if any, "distress" you experience. Caregivers generally juggle many responsibilities at once. It is not unusual for a caregiver to have child raising and employment responsibilities at the same time as providing care for one or more family members. Other things may further complicate the situation; the person being cared for may not know the caregiver any more; they may be too ill to talk or complete simple tasks or they may have behavior problems, like yelling, hitting and wandering. These and any number of characteristics related to the care situation may contribute to caregiver stress. Caregiving can be very rewarding but it can also contribute to negative feelings. Below are some common feelings experienced by caregivers: Frustration - Frustration associated with being unable to control the caregiving situation, of not being able to meet the demands of others and/or being torn by competing responsibilities. Guilt - Guilt is a common contributor to caregiver stress. A caregiver may feel pulled in many directions due to multiple responsibilities. This may make them feel guilty for not being available as much as they would like. Loss - Caregivers have to cope with many losses. Loss of the life the caregiver used to have. Feeling the loss of relationships, leisure time and activities and loss associated with the person they are caring for. Helplessness - The helplessness of being powerless to improve the health of the person they are caring for. The helplessness of being unable to receive the assistance they need from government agencies and other family members. Anger - Anger because the caregiver is frustrated and does not know what else to do. Anger because their loved one is dying or does not appreciate their assistance. These felling are not wrong or unusual. They are natural human responses. It is when these feelings begin to overwhelm the caregiver that problems arise. Accordingly, it is important for caregivers to take care of themselves and recognize the signs of caregiver stress. After all, if the caregiver becomes ill they will not be able to help anyone else. As caregivers, you juggle many responsibilities. The stress associated with these responsibilities can lead to increased feelings of frustration, guilt, loss, helplessness, and anger. Consequently, it is important for caregivers to take care of themselves and recognize the signs of caregiver stress. A good caregiver is as physically and mentally healthy as possible because they are better able to meet the needs of the person they care for when their own needs are met as well. Is Caregiving Putting Too Much Stress on You? Too much stress can make you sick. It is like burning a candle at both ends. Eventually there is nothing left to burn resulting in a melt-down. That is why it is important to know the signs of caregiver stress and how to prevent it. Signs of caregiver stress are specific to the individual and vary depending on the situation. Warning signs of heightened caregiver stress may include any of the following: Depression, headaches and/or stomach aches Sleeping difficulties, lack of concentration Anxious, irritable, cry and/or get angry more Feel like cannot cope anymore Eat, smoke, and/or drink more Social withdrawal Exhaustion Increased health problems Can You Prevent or Reduce Caregiver Stress? It is impossible to eliminate all stress from your life. But there are things that you can do to help cope and possibly reduce the effect caregiver stress has on you. Below are some suggestions from health professionals and fellow caregivers that may help reduce caregiver stress. ASK FOR HELP Be realistic about what you can do. You cannot do everything yourself. Share caregiving with others. Ask for and accept help from family, friends, neighbors, professionals, and volunteer groups. Hold a family meeting to distribute responsibilities. Know what resources are available in your community and use services that are available. Talk to others . It is important for you to be able to talk to others about what you are going through and how you are feeling. Join a support group. ACCEPTANCE Examine your reason for becoming a caregiver. Be honest with yourself and examine the effect caregiving will have on your life. Know your limitations. Accept that the person you are caring for will not always do what you think is best. You cannot change the person you care for, but you can change your own expectations to match the situation and reduce the level of frustration you feel. Don't feel guilty if you lose patience or can't do everything on your own. Accept changes as they occur. Give yourself credit for what you have accomplished! TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF - MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY Eat a healthy diet and exercise. Exercising can be beneficial in reducing stress. Get enough sleep Make time for yourself. Realize that it is OK to laugh and have fun, pursue a hobby, visit with friends, etc. Learn to say "no" when you want to say no. Try to stay positive. Manage your level of stress by using different relaxation techniques. There are a number of different techniques you can use including; breathing exercises, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, massage, listening to music, stretching, etc. Try a number of different methods until you find what works best for you. The time you spend learning different ways to cope will allow you to better cope and deal with the strains of caregiving. Remember it is just as important for you to care for yourself as it is for the one(s) you care for. If at any time you feel that the stress of caregiving has become unmanageable, please consult your physician. If you would like more information or think you may be experiencing excessive caregiver stress, please call the Caregiver Line 1-888-571-2273. Remember we are here for you!