Caregiver stress is a common condition characterised by physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. It often results from a person neglecting their own emotional and physical health because they are focused on caring for an elderly, ill, injured or disabled relative/loved one.
For some, the constant demands of caring for a person who has ongoing needs can result in burnout. The lack of boundaries between a role as a carer and being either a spouse, child, parent or other loved one can present many stressful challenges.
Quite often primary carers put unrealistic expectations on themselves, believing they can do it all and never ask for help. This is possibly because they don’t want to be a burden to someone else. Becoming overwhelmed and frustrated by the physical requirements and financial burden associated with caring for someone with long-term needs is common in carers.
Carers suffering from stress is strongly associated with damaging health outcomes. Forty to seventy per cent of primary carers suffer from depression and many suffer from anxiety resulting from the stress of providing care. Irritability, anger, guilt are also common symptoms. Chronic, ongoing stress may lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and a compromised immune system.
Take the Carer Strain Index
If any of the above seems familiar to you or you feel you might be suffering from stress/carer burnout then complete this quick 5 minute The Carer Strain Index questionnaire.
Or
Take Online Caregiver Self Assessment
If the Carer Strain Index questionnaire identifies you as stressed or if you already know you are stressed/burnt out, then with a support person* discuss and work through the following points to develop and prioritise support strategies:
(*a support person could be your GP, Community Nurse, Nurse Coordinator, Counsellor or Social Worker)
- Identify the issues that are causing the carer (you) stress.
- Prioritise the causes of stress with the carer (you).
- In consultation with the carer (you) develop strategies to assist in reducing the causes of the carers stress.
- Place interventions* on care plan under the title of ‘Carer Support’
- Discuss services available to provide counselling support and make referrals to the appropriate nominated service as required.
• **See the list below for suggestions you can initiate.
Taylored Home Care has experienced Nurse Coordinators who can assist with all the points above and can develop a unique care plan both for you and your loved one. The care plan will identify strategies and solutions to help relieve any stress you are experiencing.
Supporting primary carers and other family members is what Taylored Home Care prides itself on doing exceptionally well; we believe carer support is a fundamental part of any service and is provided at no extra charge.
Examples of interventions you can do to reduce stress
- Set up healthy daily routines
- Doing the same basic routines each day gives structure, reduces decision making and gives your loved one a sense of security.
- Pay attention to your own needs
- Take time to relax, do something you enjoy; schedule in 5-minute breaks and longer-term respite care.
- Get help when you need it
- Ask other family members, neighbours, access government-funded help, pay for hired help.
- Make your own health a higher priority
- Neglecting your own physical and mental health could cause you to become too ill to care for your relative.
- Cook large quantities of food and have freezer meals on time
- This will give you more time especially on busy days. Ask friends and relatives to cook you up some meals, most people like to help.
Simple tips to manage your stress
- Focus on breathing, exercise, plan ahead, reject negative self-talk, avoid asking “what if” and focus on the positives. For more on these tips see Carer Stress. Recognising Stress and Techniques to Manage it.
- Stop judging yourself as a caregiver and forgive yourself. Nobody is perfect, we shouldn’t hold on to blame towards ourselves or others.
Talk with one of Taylored Home Care helpful coordinators now or email hello@tayloredhomecare.com.au