While caregiving can be a rewarding and positive experience, it can be extremely demanding and stressful. Often, caregivers experience stress which over time can lead to caregiver burnout. This section provides information about caregiver stress and burnout, tips to reduce the risk of chronic stress, support for caregivers and ways to cope with the demands of caregiving.
Click on a link below to jump to that section:
Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress1
While these tips can work to reduce caregiver stress, research has indicated that caregiver support is an effective way to reduce caregiver stress and the risk of burnout. It is important to remember to take care of yourself as well as your care receiver. While it may be difficult, asking for help does not mean failure.
Asking for Help
Asking family and friends for help can be a difficult thing to do. Many caregivers avoid asking for help and attempt to do everything themselves. If help is available it is extremely beneficial to the caregiver. Assistance with caregiving may reduce feelings of stress and burden. It gives the caregiver someone to share their experiences with and may bring people closer together.
Tips for Asking Family Members or Friends for Help5
While it is important to reduce stress and find support, it is not possible to completly eliminate caregiver stress. Therefore, coping is a necessary component of caregiving. Some coping strategies that caregivers can use to reduce caregiver stress include respite care and humor.
Respite Care
Caregiving is demanding and caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout. Although there are different approaches to respite care the same basic objective exists: to provide the care recipient with planned temporary care to allow the caregiver relief from the daily responsibilities of caregiving.
When Respite Care Might Be Considered7
While many forms of respite care exist, the quality of care provided by respite services may vary. Therefore, it is important to check out the facility before leaving your loved one. Also, it is important to consider your care receiver’s specific needs and to determine whether the respite services you are researching can accommodate these needs. A list of general questions has been provided as an outline to help determine which respite service may be best for the care recipient. 9
General Questions
Besides respite care, humor may reduce caregiver stress. Humor therapy is defined as the use of humor for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Humor is a coping mechanism that a caregiver may use repeatedly or in the ‘heat of the moment’. When a situation with the care receiver has gone awry, laughter may be the best medicine.
Humor
1. Alzheimer's Association. (2007). Caregiver Stress. Symptoms of caregiver stress. Retrieved on October 21, 2007 from http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_caregiver_stress_Iwa.asp
2. Modnick, Kemp & White. (2007). Helpguide.org: Are you in danger of burnout? Retrieved on May 17, 2007 from http://www.helpguid.org/elder/respite_care.htm
3. WebMD.Com. (2002). Heart Disease Guide: What cause caregiver burnout? Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-recognizing-caregiver-burnout
4. 4therapy.com. (2007). Easing the stress of caregiving. Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/item.php?uniquied=5585&categoryid=452&
5. Net of Care. (2005). Information & Resources for Caregiving: How to ask for help. Retrieved October 18, 2005 from http://www.netofcare.org/content/getting-started/asking.asp
6. Brandt, A. (2000). Eldercare Online: Overcoming Negative Emotions. Retrieved October 18, 2007 from http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/emotion2.html
7. Cleveland Clinic Health System. (2005). For your health. Retrieved October 18, 2007 from http://www.cchs.net/health/healthinfo/docs/2200/2239.asp?index=9224
8. Seniormag.com. (2007). Respite Care Services. Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.seniormag.com/services/respite.htm
9. Modnick, Kemp & White. (2007). Helpguide.com: Questions to ask about respite programs. Retrieved May 17, 2007 from http://helpguide.org/elder/respite_care.htm
10. American Cancer Society. (200). Humor Therapy. Retrieved October 18, 2007 from http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Humor_Therapy.asp
Click on a link below to jump to that section:
Caregiver Stress & Burnout
Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress1- Anger at elder, family, doctors and/or service providers.
- Withdrawal from activities.
- Feelings of being overwhelmed.
- Feelings of anxiety or constant worry.
- Inability to find pleasure in anything anymore.
- Exhaustion and/or sleeplessness.
- Worsening of chronic conditions.
- Irritability.
- Lack of concentration.
- Persistent symptoms.
- Constant anxiety, irritability or anger.
- Feelings of detachment, numbness or exhaustion.
- Continuous self-criticism.
- Withdrawal from usual activities.
- Negligence or hatred of caregiving responsibilities.
- Trouble at work or in relationships.
- Substance abuse.
- Role confusion.
- Unrealistic expectations.
- Lack of control.
- Unreasonable demands.
- Schedule regular afternoon or evenings out.
- Take time to talk with friends, either in person or on the phone.
- Eat nutritious meals.
- Get enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly.
- Make a list of jobs you could ask for help with.
- Arrange adult day care.
- Join a support group.
- Draw strength from your faith.
- Take time to pamper yourself.
- Plan a weekend getaway.
- Hire a temporary caregiver from a respite care program.
- Effects of Stress from WEBMD
- Stress Information from Mayo Clinic
- Stress Information from Psychology Today
While these tips can work to reduce caregiver stress, research has indicated that caregiver support is an effective way to reduce caregiver stress and the risk of burnout. It is important to remember to take care of yourself as well as your care receiver. While it may be difficult, asking for help does not mean failure.Asking for Help
Asking family and friends for help can be a difficult thing to do. Many caregivers avoid asking for help and attempt to do everything themselves. If help is available it is extremely beneficial to the caregiver. Assistance with caregiving may reduce feelings of stress and burden. It gives the caregiver someone to share their experiences with and may bring people closer together.
Tips for Asking Family Members or Friends for Help5
- Sit down with them in person or find a quiet time to speak on the phone.
- Review the list of the care receiver needs.
- Specifically discuss areas which you think they could help.
- Inquire about whether they would like to help out in a particular area.
- Clearly explain the tasks and what they could do to help.
- Make sure that they understand exactly what would be helpful to you and the care receiver.
- Make a list of people who can help in the following ways:
- Who can be relied on for specific tasks and assistance.
- Who you can share your feelings with.
- Who can help with transportation.
- Who can stay with your loved one for a while.
- With whom you can go out with and have a good time.
- Who you can go to when you need professional help.
- Asking for Help
Coping Mechanisms for Caregivers
While it is important to reduce stress and find support, it is not possible to completly eliminate caregiver stress. Therefore, coping is a necessary component of caregiving. Some coping strategies that caregivers can use to reduce caregiver stress include respite care and humor.Respite Care
Caregiving is demanding and caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout. Although there are different approaches to respite care the same basic objective exists: to provide the care recipient with planned temporary care to allow the caregiver relief from the daily responsibilities of caregiving.
When Respite Care Might Be Considered7
- To provide care while the caregiver is at work or when other obligations need to be met.
- To provide interaction and social opportunities for the care receiver.
- Adult Day Center7: Provides daily, structured programs in a community setting with activities, health-related services and rehabilitation to older adults who need a protective environment due to physical or mental limitations.
- Provides for the caregiver:
- A safe environment for the loved one.
- Flexible yet scheduled times for drop off and pick up.
- The opportunity to take time off from the caregiving duties.
- The opportunity to socialize or exercise.
- Provides for the care recipient:
- The opportunity for interaction and socialization with others.
- The opportunity to partake in a variety of planned activities.
- May provide social and rehabilitative services.
- Opportunities for education, while taking into consideration their hobbies, interests and needs.
- In-home Care Services8: A service that provides professional workers who come directly to the caregiver’s home to provide care. Often the temporary care provider stays on the premises. This service may not be available in all areas and may be expensive.
- Provides for the caregiver:
- An opportunity for travel when care receiver cannot live independently.
- Ability to transfer caregiving responsibilities to a trained care professional.
- Provides for the care recipient:
- Ability to remain in their own living environment.
- Opportunity to allow the caregiver the ability to take time off while continuing to receive the needed care.
- Assisted Living Respite Care8: This service may be provided by assisted living centers when space is available. The care recipient moves into the assisted living facility to receive temporary housing and care.
- Provides for the caregiver:
- Ability to leave the care recipient for an extended period of time.
- Peace of mind knowing that care recipient is receiving professional care.
- Ability to test out an assisted living facility without the move being permanent.
- Should be aware that it may cause anxiety and fear in the care receiver if they do not believe that the move is temporary.
- Provides for the care recipient:
- Safe environment with professional care.
- Opportunity to interact with others.
While many forms of respite care exist, the quality of care provided by respite services may vary. Therefore, it is important to check out the facility before leaving your loved one. Also, it is important to consider your care receiver’s specific needs and to determine whether the respite services you are researching can accommodate these needs. A list of general questions has been provided as an outline to help determine which respite service may be best for the care recipient. 9
General Questions
- How are the care providers screened?
- What is the training and level of experience of the care providers?
- How long has the center been in business?
- Is the center licensed and is the license current?
- What is the physical appearance of the center?
- Will caregiver need additional training to meet specific family needs?
- Who supervises the care provided and how are they evaluated?
- What procedures does the program have for emergencies?
- Are families limited to a certain number of hours of service?
- Does the program provide transportation?
- What is the cost of services and how is payment arranged?
- Respite Fact Sheets: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Repite Care: HelpGuide
- Respite Information: ALS Association
- Respite Information: Elder Care
- Respite Booklet: U of U Gerontology Center
Besides respite care, humor may reduce caregiver stress. Humor therapy is defined as the use of humor for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Humor is a coping mechanism that a caregiver may use repeatedly or in the ‘heat of the moment’. When a situation with the care receiver has gone awry, laughter may be the best medicine.
Humor
- Is a complementary method to promote health and cope with illness.
- Is generally used to improve quality of life, provide some pain relief, encourage relaxation and reduce stress.
- May allow people to feel in control of their situations and make the situation seem more manageable.
- Allows people to release fears, anger and stress, all which harm the body over time.
- Appears to change brain chemistry and may boost the immune system.
- Appears to increase breathing, increase heart rate and increase oxygen use within the body .
- Allows more oxygen to be used by your body which stimulates the circulatory system.
- Exercises the same muscles and organs used for breathing.
- May release endorphins (neurotransmitters in the brain) which help to control pain.
1. Alzheimer's Association. (2007). Caregiver Stress. Symptoms of caregiver stress. Retrieved on October 21, 2007 from http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_caregiver_stress_Iwa.asp
2. Modnick, Kemp & White. (2007). Helpguide.org: Are you in danger of burnout? Retrieved on May 17, 2007 from http://www.helpguid.org/elder/respite_care.htm
3. WebMD.Com. (2002). Heart Disease Guide: What cause caregiver burnout? Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-recognizing-caregiver-burnout
4. 4therapy.com. (2007). Easing the stress of caregiving. Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/conditions/item.php?uniquied=5585&categoryid=452&
5. Net of Care. (2005). Information & Resources for Caregiving: How to ask for help. Retrieved October 18, 2005 from http://www.netofcare.org/content/getting-started/asking.asp
6. Brandt, A. (2000). Eldercare Online: Overcoming Negative Emotions. Retrieved October 18, 2007 from http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/emotion2.html
7. Cleveland Clinic Health System. (2005). For your health. Retrieved October 18, 2007 from http://www.cchs.net/health/healthinfo/docs/2200/2239.asp?index=9224
8. Seniormag.com. (2007). Respite Care Services. Retrieved October 21, 2007 from http://www.seniormag.com/services/respite.htm
9. Modnick, Kemp & White. (2007). Helpguide.com: Questions to ask about respite programs. Retrieved May 17, 2007 from http://helpguide.org/elder/respite_care.htm
10. American Cancer Society. (200). Humor Therapy. Retrieved October 18, 2007 from http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Humor_Therapy.asp
While caregiving can be a rewarding and positive experience, it can be extremely demanding and stressful. Often, caregivers experience stress which over time can lead to caregiver burnout. This section provides information about caregiver stress and burnout, tips to reduce the risk of chronic stress, support for caregivers and ways to cope with the demands of caregiving.
Click on a link below to jump to that section:
Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress1
While these tips can work to reduce caregiver stress, research has indicated that caregiver support is an effective way to reduce caregiver stress and the risk of burnout. It is important to remember to take care of yourself as well as your care receiver. While it may be difficult, asking for help does not mean failure.
Asking for Help
Asking family and friends for help can be a difficult thing to do. Many caregivers avoid asking for help and attempt to do everything themselves. If help is available it is extremely beneficial to the caregiver. Assistance with caregiving may reduce feelings of stress and burden. It gives the caregiver someone to share their experiences with and may bring people closer together.
Tips for Asking Family Members or Friends for Help5
While it is important to reduce stress and find support, it is not possible to completly eliminate caregiver stress. Therefore, coping is a necessary component of caregiving. Some coping strategies that caregivers can use to reduce caregiver stress include respite care and humor.
Respite Care
Caregiving is demanding and caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout. Although there are different approaches to respite care the same basic objective exists: to provide the care recipient with planned temporary care to allow the caregiver relief from the daily responsibilities of caregiving.
When Respite Care Might Be Considered7
While many forms of respite care exist, the quality of care provided by respite services may vary. Therefore, it is important to check out the facility before leaving your loved one. Also, it is important to consider your care receiver’s specific needs and to determine whether the respite services you are researching can accommodate these needs. A list of general questions has been provided as an outline to help determine which respite service may be best for the care recipient. 9
General Questions
Besides respite care, humor may reduce caregiver stress. Humor therapy is defined as the use of humor for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Humor is a coping mechanism that a caregiver may use repeatedly or in the ‘heat of the moment’. When a situation with the care receiver has gone awry, laughter may be the best medicine.
Humor
Click on a link below to jump to that section:
Caregiver Stress & Burnout
Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress1- Anger at elder, family, doctors and/or service providers.
- Withdrawal from activities.
- Feelings of being overwhelmed.
- Feelings of anxiety or constant worry.
- Inability to find pleasure in anything anymore.
- Exhaustion and/or sleeplessness.
- Worsening of chronic conditions.
- Irritability.
- Lack of concentration.
- Persistent symptoms.
- Constant anxiety, irritability or anger.
- Feelings of detachment, numbness or exhaustion.
- Continuous self-criticism.
- Withdrawal from usual activities.
- Negligence or hatred of caregiving responsibilities.
- Trouble at work or in relationships.
- Substance abuse.
- Role confusion.
- Unrealistic expectations.
- Lack of control.
- Unreasonable demands.
- Schedule regular afternoon or evenings out.
- Take time to talk with friends, either in person or on the phone.
- Eat nutritious meals.
- Get enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly.
- Make a list of jobs you could ask for help with.
- Arrange adult day care.
- Join a support group.
- Draw strength from your faith.
- Take time to pamper yourself.
- Plan a weekend getaway.
- Hire a temporary caregiver from a respite care program.
- Effects of Stress from WEBMD
- Stress Information from Mayo Clinic
- Stress Information from Psychology Today
Caregiver Support
While these tips can work to reduce caregiver stress, research has indicated that caregiver support is an effective way to reduce caregiver stress and the risk of burnout. It is important to remember to take care of yourself as well as your care receiver. While it may be difficult, asking for help does not mean failure.Asking for Help
Asking family and friends for help can be a difficult thing to do. Many caregivers avoid asking for help and attempt to do everything themselves. If help is available it is extremely beneficial to the caregiver. Assistance with caregiving may reduce feelings of stress and burden. It gives the caregiver someone to share their experiences with and may bring people closer together.
Tips for Asking Family Members or Friends for Help5
- Sit down with them in person or find a quiet time to speak on the phone.
- Review the list of the care receiver needs.
- Specifically discuss areas which you think they could help.
- Inquire about whether they would like to help out in a particular area.
- Clearly explain the tasks and what they could do to help.
- Make sure that they understand exactly what would be helpful to you and the care receiver.
- Make a list of people who can help in the following ways:
- Who can be relied on for specific tasks and assistance.
- Who you can share your feelings with.
- Who can help with transportation.
- Who can stay with your loved one for a while.
- With whom you can go out with and have a good time.
- Who you can go to when you need professional help.
- Asking for Help
Coping Mechanisms for Caregivers
While it is important to reduce stress and find support, it is not possible to completly eliminate caregiver stress. Therefore, coping is a necessary component of caregiving. Some coping strategies that caregivers can use to reduce caregiver stress include respite care and humor.Respite Care
Caregiving is demanding and caregivers need time off from their caregiving responsibilities to relieve stress and prevent burnout. Although there are different approaches to respite care the same basic objective exists: to provide the care recipient with planned temporary care to allow the caregiver relief from the daily responsibilities of caregiving.
When Respite Care Might Be Considered7
- To provide care while the caregiver is at work or when other obligations need to be met.
- To provide interaction and social opportunities for the care receiver.
- Adult Day Center7: Provides daily, structured programs in a community setting with activities, health-related services and rehabilitation to older adults who need a protective environment due to physical or mental limitations.
- Provides for the caregiver:
- A safe environment for the loved one.
- Flexible yet scheduled times for drop off and pick up.
- The opportunity to take time off from the caregiving duties.
- The opportunity to socialize or exercise.
- Provides for the care recipient:
- The opportunity for interaction and socialization with others.
- The opportunity to partake in a variety of planned activities.
- May provide social and rehabilitative services.
- Opportunities for education, while taking into consideration their hobbies, interests and needs.
- In-home Care Services8: A service that provides professional workers who come directly to the caregiver’s home to provide care. Often the temporary care provider stays on the premises. This service may not be available in all areas and may be expensive.
- Provides for the caregiver:
- An opportunity for travel when care receiver cannot live independently.
- Ability to transfer caregiving responsibilities to a trained care professional.
- Provides for the care recipient:
- Ability to remain in their own living environment.
- Opportunity to allow the caregiver the ability to take time off while continuing to receive the needed care.
- Assisted Living Respite Care8: This service may be provided by assisted living centers when space is available. The care recipient moves into the assisted living facility to receive temporary housing and care.
- Provides for the caregiver:
- Ability to leave the care recipient for an extended period of time.
- Peace of mind knowing that care recipient is receiving professional care.
- Ability to test out an assisted living facility without the move being permanent.
- Should be aware that it may cause anxiety and fear in the care receiver if they do not believe that the move is temporary.
- Provides for the care recipient:
- Safe environment with professional care.
- Opportunity to interact with others.
While many forms of respite care exist, the quality of care provided by respite services may vary. Therefore, it is important to check out the facility before leaving your loved one. Also, it is important to consider your care receiver’s specific needs and to determine whether the respite services you are researching can accommodate these needs. A list of general questions has been provided as an outline to help determine which respite service may be best for the care recipient. 9
General Questions
- How are the care providers screened?
- What is the training and level of experience of the care providers?
- How long has the center been in business?
- Is the center licensed and is the license current?
- What is the physical appearance of the center?
- Will caregiver need additional training to meet specific family needs?
- Who supervises the care provided and how are they evaluated?
- What procedures does the program have for emergencies?
- Are families limited to a certain number of hours of service?
- Does the program provide transportation?
- What is the cost of services and how is payment arranged?
- Respite Fact Sheets: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Repite Care: HelpGuide
- Respite Information: ALS Association
- Respite Information: Elder Care
- Respite Booklet: U of U Gerontology Center
Besides respite care, humor may reduce caregiver stress. Humor therapy is defined as the use of humor for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Humor is a coping mechanism that a caregiver may use repeatedly or in the ‘heat of the moment’. When a situation with the care receiver has gone awry, laughter may be the best medicine.
Humor
- Is a complementary method to promote health and cope with illness.
- Is generally used to improve quality of life, provide some pain relief, encourage relaxation and reduce stress.
- May allow people to feel in control of their situations and make the situation seem more manageable.
- Allows people to release fears, anger and stress, all which harm the body over time.
- Appears to change brain chemistry and may boost the immune system.
- Appears to increase breathing, increase heart rate and increase oxygen use within the body .
- Allows more oxygen to be used by your body which stimulates the circulatory system.
- Exercises the same muscles and organs used for breathing.
- May release endorphins (neurotransmitters in the brain) which help to control pain.
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