Being a Care taker for a loved one is a challenge. Don't forget to care for yourself.

Don’t Forget to Help Yourself:

Coping with Caretaker Stress

Oftentimes we’re faced with the task of caring for our loved ones.  Whether it’s temporary or permanent, the job is daunting and often exhausting.  If caretaking is not your chosen profession, then the responsibilities often are piled upon your existing commitments like work and family.  Caretaking can be a completely rewarding and humbling experience, however, it is not uncommon to suffer from caretaker stress.  Caretaker stress can contribute to depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, addiction, and other health issues.  Signs that you are experiencing caretaker stress are: frustration, anger, weight gain, weight loss, loss of interest in social activities/hobbies, consistent feelings of sadness or worry, sleeping too little or too much, alcohol or drug abuse, and frequent head or body aches.  

It is imperative that you remember to care for yourself while functioning in your role as caretaker.  There are many things that you can do to help alleviate the stress of caretaking.  Some of these things are:  accepting help when offered, saying no to things that will drain you or increase your stress, set aside time for just you each week, maintain doctor’s appointments, be physically active as much as possible, and staying in contact with friends and family.  Be aware that there are resources available on a local, state, and federal level that may be able to help you with your needs.  Join a support group where you can swap ideas with others on how to ease the burden of caretaking.  Finally, remember to laugh when at all possible.   Keeping a sense of humor will go a long way in maintaining your health. 

Written by: Amanda Furca, Graduate Level Intern, Loring Therapy LLC

loringtherapy.com

Adapted from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health e-publication fact sheet, “Caregiver Stress,” content updated May, 2008.  URL:  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.pdf 

 Below are some great resources that you can utilize in your caretaking journey.

Administration on Aging 

Phone number: (800) 677-1116

Internet address: http://www.aoa.gov,

http://www.eldercare.gov

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 

Services

Phone number: (800) 633-4227

Internet address: http://www.cms.hhs.gov

Family Caregiver Alliance

Phone number: (800) 445-8106

Internet address: http://www.caregiver.org

National Alliance for Caregiving

Internet address:

http://www.caregiving.org

National Family Caregivers 

Association 

Phone number: (800) 896-3650

Internet address: http://www.nfcacares.org

The National Respite Locator Service

Phone number: (919) 490-5577

Internet address:

http://www.respitelocator.or