Beating Caregiver Stress

By Vikki Kalitsi

Most Americans will be informal caregivers at some point during their lives. Each year more than 44 million Americans (21% of the adult population) provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person 18 years or older. This represents 80% of all long-term care in the U.S.

Most caregivers are middle-aged or older women who have jobs outside of caring for an elderly person. Most of these women have changed hours or working conditions in order to care for their elderly family member.

Sound stressful? It is.

Ways to Reduce Caregiver Stress

Focus on the rewards of care giving, and giving back to a loved one. Being a caregiver strengthens your relationship with the person receiving care and makes you feel needed, boosting your self-confidence.

Make sure you are at your best, take care of your health, get enough sleep and get at least 45 minutes of exercise each day. Talk to a counselor, psychologist, or other mental health professional right away if your stress leads you to physically or emotionally harm the person you are caring for.

Find out how to deal with your loved one's disease. This will help you take a positive approach to the daily questions and issues you will be presented with.

If you do find that you are under stress from caring for your loved one, try these stress-reducing tips

Get help from community care giving service providers for transportation, meal delivery, home health care services, non-medical home care services, home modification for earlier daily tasks, and legal/financial counseling.

Accept help from friends and family this includes financial help.

Say “no” to volunteer tasks, such as hosting holiday meals.

Do the best you can and don't feel guilty about not being perfect.

Prioritize your tasks and establish a daily routine.

Stay in touch with family and friends.

Join a support group for caregivers facing the same condition or disease.

Try to keep your sense of humor.

Check with the human resource office at your job. Employees covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act may be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for relatives.

When you need a break (and you will), give a professional home care service a call. They will come to your loved one's home and perform any number of household chores, personal grooming chores, and provide companionship for your loved one for a very affordable fee.