Caregiver Resources

10 Signs of Caregiver Stress

• Depression

  Symptoms include constant sadness, feelings of hopelessness and increased crying.

• Withdrawal

  This can occur if you are depressed. You may not wish to see family and friends. You may stop taking part in things you used to enjoy.

• Anxiety

  You may feel anxious to get things done or about facing another day and what the future holds.

• Anger

  You may start yelling at your loved ones more, or have difficulty controlling your temper with other people. Caregivers often become angry at their loved ones because they are sacrificing their own lives to care for them. Feeling angry at family members for not helping is also common.

• Loss of concentration

  You are constantly thinking about your loved one and everything that you need to do. As a result, you have difficulty concentrating at home or at work.

• Changes in eating habits

  This results in weight gain or loss, as well as increased illness.

• Insomnia

  You may feel tired, but cannot sleep. Or, you may not feel tired even if your body is tired. You also may wake up in the middle of the night or have nightmares and stressful dreams.

• Exhaustion

  If you frequently wake up feeling you can't get out of bed despite a good night's sleep, you're in distress.

• Drinking or smoking

  You may find that you are drinking or smoking more, or have recently started these habits.

• Health problems

  You may catch colds or the flu more often than usual. This is more common in caregivers who do not eat properly and are not exercising.

How to Reduce Stress

Here are some tips for reducing stress related to caregiving:

• If you need financial help, don't be afraid to ask family members to contribute their fair share.
• Say "no" to requests that are draining and stressful, such as hosting holiday meals.
• Forgive yourself for your imperfections. There is no such thing as a "perfect" caregiver.
• Identify what you can and cannot change. You may not be able to change someone else's behavior, but you can change the way that you react to it.
• Set realistic goals. Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time.
• Prioritize, make lists, and establish a daily routine.
• Keep in touch with family and friends.
• Make time to be physically active and keep a well-balanced diet each day.
• See your doctor regularly for checkups.
• Keep your sense of humor and practice positive thinking.
• Find out about caregiving resources in your community. Your Area Agency on Aging is a great, free resource.
• Take advantage of affordable respite and healthcare resources to allow you to take time for yourself.
• If you work outside the home, consider taking a break from 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.