Sometimes the responsibilities of caring for a family member can go beyond just “stressing you out,” and instead can put you at risk for developing long-term health issues. When the pressures of caregiving build up, a family caregiver can move from just being stressed to actually suffering from “distress.”
“Stressors include too many caregiver demands, not enough help caring for a loved one, feeling alone, financial problems, and work loss. These all can lead to caregiver distress and burden,” says Dr. Peter Vitaliano, a professor at the University of Washington.
Some risk factors for developing caregiver distress include:
- Being a woman caregiver
- Suffering from a chronic illness
- Caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease
- Lacking coping skills
- Having difficulty solving problems
- Lacking adequate resources
- Being uncomfortable asking for help
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March 10, 2015 at 2:23 pm | Posted by Hazrl
My husband has dementia and I'm the caregiver. So far I think I'm doing ok but I know the road is going to get rougher. I am able to get out once a week to get my hair done. Its at the beauty school so the cost is low. A friend comes and gets my husband on Wed. afternoons to "go for coffee" and he encourages me to go shopping if I need to. Sometimes I just sit and relax at this time. Is there something else I might be doing to help keep from getting stressed out to the point I can't take care of my husband. We are on a limited income so that could be a problem down the road. I hope and pray not. Thank you
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