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Stress Management for
Care Givers
What is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is a term used for a person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves. An example includes children, the elderly, or patients who have chronic illnesses or are disabled. This could mean a family member, a respite caregiver, or a home caregiver. Caregivers help individuals with their daily activities. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, or social workers.
What is Caregiver stress?
Caregiving can be incredibly challenging. It can leave the caregiver with little or no time for work or other family members or friends. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the time spent caring for seniors, sick or disabled family members. The constant psychological and physical stress can also lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Signs and symptoms of Caregiver stress may include:
– Feeling overwhelmed
– Feeling lonely or isolated
– Sleeping too much or too little
– Gaining or losing a lot of weight
– Feeling tired most of the time
– Losing interest in activities – you used to enjoy
– Becoming easily irritated or angered
– Feeling worried or sad often
– Having headaches or body aches often
How can Caregiver stress affect my health?
Long-term stress of any kind, including caregiver stress, can lead to serious health problems. Some of the ways stress may affects you include:
- Depression and anxiety. Caregivers, especially women, develop symptoms of anxiety and depression as compared to men, which can significantly increase the risk of other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
- Weak immune system- Constant stress can cause more vulnerable immune systems among caregivers than among Noncaregivers, thus making them more prone to digestive problems, fatigue, cold, or flu.
- Obesity- Levels of “the stress hormone” cortisol rises among caregivers, resulting in eating disorders. Which can result in weight gain, thus increasing the risk for other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Higher risk for chronic diseases. High-stress levels combined with depression raise the risk for health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis
- Problems with short-term memory or paying attention-Caregivers are also at an elevated risk for problems with short term memory.
Resources
Check out our resources section for more information on topics like health, lifestyle, rehabilitation, and many more.
What caregiving services are available in the community?
It is extremely important to take advantage of the many resources and help available to provide care for your loved one. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else. Few of the services that
- Meal Preparation
- Home health care services, such as nursing or physical therapy
- Home care services, such as housekeeping, cooking, or companionship
- Respite care, which is substitute caregiving
How can I pay for home health care and other caregiving services??
Depending on your insurance plan, your healthcare plan may cover home health and home care services. If you are unsure about the coverage you have with your insurance, call us and we will find it out for you.