As a caregiver, or future caregiver, there will be days (lots of them) where you feel like
screaming for H-E-L-P. I know. I’ve been there. Your loved one needs a shower. It is
time for the next meal to be prepared. Insurance statements are piling up and need
reviewed. Someone is feeling “sick and tired of being sick and tired”.
There are many good resources for learning about Caregiver stress. “Why do I need
to read about it, I’m living it”, some may say. Awareness and education may help you
identify your feelings of frustration, anger, guilt, exhaustion, and help you learn how to
better cope.
WomensHealth.gov is a website created and maintained by the federal government to
help educate people about such topics as breast cancer, fitness & nutrition,
menopause, violence against women, and other important topics such as caregiving.
Check out this link which provides a Fact Sheet about caregiver stress:
What is caregiver stress?
Caregiver stress is the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. It can take many
forms. For instance, you may feel:
Frustrated and angry taking care of someone with dementia who often wanders away or becomes easily upset
Guilty because you think you should be able to provide better care, despite all the other things that you have to do
Lonely because all the time you spend caregiving has hurt your social life
Exhausted when you go to bed at night
Caregiver stress appears to affect women more than men. About 75 percent of
caregivers who report feeling very strained emotionally, physically, or financially are
women.
Although caregiving can be challenging, it is important to note that it can also have its
rewards. It can give you a feeling of giving back to a loved one. It can also make you
feel needed and can lead to a stronger relationship with the person receiving care.
About half of caregivers report that:
They appreciate life more as a result of their caregiving experience
Caregiving has made them feel good about themselves
Okay, we’ve identified that caregiving will no doubt be a significant stressor in your life.
How can you H-E-L-P yourself? The best book I have read on caregiving is Gail
Sheehy’s, “Passages of Caregiving” (2012).
It is wonderful to provide selfless and devoted care to a loved one. Don’t forget about
“selfcare” in the process.
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