One of the biggest challenge in one of us could face is being hurled into the role of caregiver for a parent or spouse. If your loved one suffers from a condition like Alzheimer’s, it can become very challenging.
2. One of the biggest challenge in one of us could face is
being hurled into the role of caregiver for a parent or
spouse.
• If your loved one suffers from a condition like Alzheimer’s, it
can become very challenging.
3. • Part of what makes this stressful is that it will involve a level of
role reversal.
• Suddenly you may be in the role of telling your parent what
they may or may not do.
• This can be challenging for both parent and child, but needs
to be overcome to ensure the safety of your loved one.
4. • It is normal for the caregiver providing the care to suffer stress
which can result in feelings like anger, resentment and
bitterness.
• Some of what causes this can be put down to the constant
responsibilities, isolation and perhaps some forms of
deprivation.
5. In varying degrees we carry unresolved
conflicts from our relationships with our
parents which can resurface as part of the
care-giving process and intensify, causing
anxiety and frustration.
• Caregivers usually experience some combination
of physical, emotional, financial and social stress.
6. Physical Stress:
• Homemaking and housekeeping for an impaired person, in
addition to your existing responsibilities can cause physical
stress.
• If the impaired person also requires personal care because
they are incontinent can really add to this stress.
7. Physical Stress:
• If you need to lift or transfer the
impaired person, it can take a toll on
you physically.
• Also be aware that you could actual
injure yourself if you do not take
precautions and work within your
capabilities.
8. Emotional Stress:
Managing one’s time and juggling many responsibilities with
the weight of dependency on you leads to emotional stress.
9. Financial Stress:
The care of an impaired elderly person has many financial
dimensions.
• For those services that cannot be provided by family members
(medical, pharmaceutical, therapeutic etc) decisions will have to be
made as to where service will be secured and how they will be paid.
• When money is limited, many families assist with the cost of care,
causing financial burdens on all family members.
10. Social Stress:
Providing personal care up to 24 hours a day can cause social
stress by isolating oneself from friends, family and a social life.
• The caregiver may find himself/herself becoming too tired or unable
to have an evening out even once a week or once a month.
• What can result is a build-up of anger and resentment toward every
person receiving the care, as the care-receiver is the cause of the
lost socialization.