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Ten Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress |
- DENIAL about the situation and its effect on the care recipient - I
know Mom is going to get better.
- ANGER at the care recipient or at others; that no effective
treatments or cures exist; and that people don't understand what's
going on - If he asks me that one more time I'll scream!
- SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL from friends and activities that once brought
pleasure - I don't care about getting together with the neighbors
anymore.
- ANXIETY about facing another day and what the future holds - What
happens when he needs more care than I can provide?
- DEPRESSION begins to break the spirit and affects the ability to
cope - I don't care about anything anymore.
- EXHAUSTION makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily
tasks - I'm too tired for this.
- SLEEPLESSNESS caused by a never-ending list of concerns - What if
she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?
- IRRITABILITY leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and
reactions - Leave me alone!
- LACK OF CONCENTRATION makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks -
I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment.
- HEALTH PROBLEMS begin to take their toll, both mentally and
physically - I can't remember the last time I felt good.
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| SIGNS OF TOO MUCH STRESS: |
| Physical: headache, muscle aches,
sleeping & eating problems, getting sick frequently |
| Emotional: guilt, anger, depression,
anxiety, loneliness |
| Mental: forgetfulness, difficulty in
decision making, attention wandering |
| Interpersonal: withdrawal, blaming,
irritability, impatience, sensitivity to criticism |
| Spiritual: feelings of alienation, loss
of hope, purpose, & meaning |
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You May Want to Try.....
 | talk openly with your aging relative & other
family members |
| assess the problems |
| figure out where to get help |
| decide how much help you can realistically supply |
Signs of Successful Caregiving...
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caring for yourself as a priority |
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know & respect your limits |
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arrange for time for yourself |
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arrange for time with a spouse,
other family and friends |
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give yourself credit for things you
do well |
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caregiving can be a partnership in
which you share responsibilities with others |
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Ways
to Cope
When the Caregiving Burden Becomes Too
Heavy
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Unload a little even if it's on someone's shoulders. |
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Do that one thing you love, even if it's not timely. |
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Remind yourself that it's OK to cry. |
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Stop everything you are doing - find a quiet spot
& write down things that make you happy. |
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Turn things over to someone else. |
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Make sure you get enough rest. |
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Take things as they come. |
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Let things go if you are too weary to do them. |
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Take long slow breaths. |
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Keep things in perspective. |
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Know you can't make life perfect for the one you care
for. |
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Realize things will not always work out the way you'd
like for them to. |
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Recognize you can't do everything. |
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Have someone you can trust & share your feelings
with - & allow them to be honest with you. |
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Let things go that don't need to be held onto. |
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Don't lose sight of your blessings. |
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When I'm Having Trouble Coping
I sort my jewelry - nothing spectacular, just old
favorites.
I read old cards & letters - I am whisked to another
time.
I have a foot bath - 1st very warm water for 3 minutes
& then plunge into cold water for 1 minute.
I call someone I haven't talked with for years - maybe an
old grade school friend.
I do something for another caregiver. |
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Take time for yourself
Click a link below to view
SUPPORT TEAMS Family
Caregiver Support Program
Caregiver's
Bill of Rights
Statistics
about Caregivers
Caregiver Websites |
For more information on services and resources click here
to go to Eastern North Carolina Youth, Adults, Senior's Portal at www.answersforyou.org
Click here to visit
the Full Circle of Care for valuable information for caregivers.
For more information contact Sallie Williamson, Family
Caregiver Resource Specialist at 252-974-1837 or by e-mail swilliamson@mideastcom.org
Grateful acknowledgement for this information to the NC
Family Caregiver Support Program
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