Are You a Stressed Out Caregiver?

It has been estimated that each year more than 40 million Americans provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person. Most often the care is provided for a family member and the caregiver usually has other family responsibilities and a regular job as well. The emotional and physical strain of being a caregiver can take its toll and can manifest itself in many forms including high blood pressure, depression, and general fatigue.

How Can I Tell If I’m Experiencing Excessive Caregiver Stress?
You may be experiencing problematic levels of caregiver stress if you experience any of the following:
• Headaches
• Sleep Disturbance
• Irritability
• Dramatic weight gain or loss
• Anxiety
• Chronic tiredness

Coping with Caregiver Stress
Caring for someone who is ill or disabled is a challenging and often exhausting task. If that person is a family member you may also be experiencing sadness at the loss of your relationship, guilt over missed opportunities, or even anger. Research has shown that those who take an active, problem-solving approach to caregiving challenges experience less stress so here are some tips for proactive stress management:
• Be on the lookout for signs of excessive stress and address them immediately
• Take care of yourself by eating well and exercising regularly
• Educate yourself about community caregiving resources
• If you need help from others ask for it
• Prioritize demands and break tasks into small steps
• Find a trusted friend or professional who you can talk to
• Keep a sense of humor and focus on the positive

The Power of Community
Stressed out caregivers can often find invaluable resources in their own community. Most areas have agencies or organizations that can recommend local caregiving and counseling resources. The most helpful organizations tend to be those who have their own professionals who can come into the home and provide nursing or home health services themselves and can also arrange other services like transportation, home maintenance, or legal and financial counseling. A connection with this type of organization can provide a helpful long-term partnership which can continue to support the caregiver as the circumstances and health of the loved one change over time. With a little planning and proactive self care, caregivers can learn to see beyond the daily demands of caregiving and learn to connect with the joy of caring for someone they love.

Aurora Community Services has been assisting stressed-out caregivers for almost twenty-five years. Through innovative and cost-effective services tailored to each individual, Aurora can help reduce stress for caregivers and also provide excellent and compassionate in-home services to those in need of care.

Click here to join us for a FREE Lunch & Learn Educational Session to learn more about caregiver stress.


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