It affects around 36 percent from the 53 million non-paid relatives in the United States, according to the latest report from the Association of American Retired Persons along with the National Alliance for Caregiving — and could eventually lead to caregiver burnout.
For you to have some strategies to help you recognize burnout and stress in caregivers Let’s look at some of the indicators. Additionally, experts provide strategies to help you manage stress for caregivers, and when you need help, it’s best to get it to stop it from becoming a complete burnout.
What is caregiver stress?
Stress caused by caregivers can occur when the mental, emotional and physical strains that caregivers face can become too much.
It is a problem for anyone who is caring for an individual who has an illness, disability or injury, or is old. But, women are more likely to say they are stressed by caring for someone than men, as per The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health.
One of the biggest challenges for many caregivers is that they don’t have enough time to themselves, or with their family members and friends.
“Family caregivers spend an average of over 24 hours a week providing care — that’s more than an entire day you don’t have for yourself,” Laura Kotler-Klein who is a social worker director at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania she said in an Penn Medicine article.
Stress for caregivers can manifest in many ways, such as:
- Not eating enough or overeating
- The things and people that you loved
- Feeling isolated and depression, or any other negative feelings
- You’re treating the person you’re caring for in a poor way
- Are you feeling overwhelmed and lost?
- Alcohol and other medication to help relieve stress.
Based on the Alzheimer’s Association, symptoms of stress from caregivers could also include an increase in anger, irritability, frustration and insomnia. stress and even a denial of the illness of your loved one.
What is caregiver burnout?
Burnout in caregivers is caused by stress, which is not addressed until it can reach the point of exhaustion.
It is reported that the Cleveland Clinic notes that burnout among caregivers can cause caregivers to suffer from anxiety, depression constant stress and fatigue. In many cases, the attitude of people shifts from being positive and caring to uninterested and detached because they are exhausted.
Every person has their own unique experience of caring for others the responsibilities of a family member, here are the main reasons why burnout is a common occurrence:
- Too much work or pressure placed on caregivers
- Insufficient control resulting from an absence of knowledge or resources for example, a lack of money or understanding the best way to act as caregiver
- Uncertainties about roles, particularly when you’ve been the sibling or parent, partner or friend. You now need to assume a new responsibility that aren’t clear
- The emotional strain of watching the person you care for suffer from physical, mental or mental health problems
- Do not take care of your physical mental and emotional requirements due to the demands of caring for others.
“These [caretaker] responsibilities can leave you feeling overwhelmed, unhappy and isolated,” said Kotler-Klein.
How to manage stress in caregivers
Here are some suggestions to ease stress on caregivers as per Penn Medicine:
- Do your best at creating appropriate boundaries by telling yourself “no” when you already have enough to do.
- Recognize and implement strategies to manage your stress levels for example, taking some breaths in deep breathes throughout your day
- Prepare healthy meals that will bring joy to the person you care for
- Take a walk for 10 minutes in the in the morning and afternoon to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.
- Make time for yourself every day, even if it’s only the few minutes
- Get help and support from your loved ones, family members as well as the health care community and seek professional assistance in case you believe you need it.
- Make time for the activities and people that you are interested in.
Additionally, a study found that doing at least three workouts per each week over six months reduced levels of stress, and also cellular health among family caregivers.
“What caregivers need is support for healthy behaviors, because that is one of the first things to drop when you become a family caregiver,” study’s lead researcher as well as University of British Columbia associate professor Eli Puterman said in an press release at the time the study was released.
Stress from caregivers can lead to burnout
The condition of burnout is a significant health risk. If stress from caregivers becomes for the person to handle, and symptoms of burnout start to appear it is important to seek out help.
If you believe you might be suffering from anxiety, depression or any other mental health problem due to caregiver burnout an professional psychotherapist will work with you to reduce or get rid of your symptoms.
There are other services to caregivers which are recommended by the Cleveland Clinic recommends, including adult day care, home health aids as well as caregiving support. There are many helpful resources on resources and services for caregivers on USA.gov.
