Don't Let Your Caregiver Role Turn into Your Own Death Sentence

Stress, Exhaustion, Depression Arising out of Caregiving for Family Members Can Result in Deteriorating Health for the Caregiver.

If you are over 40, you are very likely to have one or more family members who are experiencing declining capabilities.  And it is even more likely that you are going to be dealing with multiple family members in various stages of their end game.  Somebody is going to have to help them get through their seniors years as joyfully and pleasantly as possible. 

If you are the sister or child of this older relative who will take on the responsibility in part or in full, you are likely as unprepared for this process as you were for marriage or parenting.  To make matters worse, you are potentially very much still needing to nurture a spouse, kids, grand kids, and most elusive of all, yourself.  How will you deal with all of this, and not end up a basket case or worse?

According to a recent article in New America Media, America’s Growing Caregiving Crisis Spans Generation,"In 2009, more than 42 million Americans provided family care to an older adult with at least one physical or mental limitation... The article goes on to say:

For many family members, the crushing weights of responsibility and isolation are so overwhelming a kind of “caregiving paralysis” sets in.

“A lot of times they‘ve been so isolated, they don’t know what to do when they get a break,” said Michelle Nevins, executive director of the Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, which serves 13 counties in Northern California.

A recent Washington state report estimated the rate of “severe depression” among caregivers was 50 percent. Other common ailments include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension--even dental decay, which can lead to malnutrition or signal underlying heart disease, for those who stop taking care of themselves.

In turn, the responses to stress become extreme. Caregivers often won’t ask for help until they are so overwhelmed they finally snap, threatening to place their loved one in a long-term care facility, or in some cases abandoning them.

“If they are completely overwhelmed, they’ll just take them to the hospital and say ‘I can’t do this anymore,’” stated Nevins.

We aren't reporting this here to make you even more anxious and depressed, but only to sound a warning and a alert.  You can get help.  Trained professional aides, nurses, and companions are available to help you with whatever you can't handle. 

We provide all levels of home care for Jupiter and surrounding cities in Florida.  We have received the gold seal of approval from the Joint Commission.  We can provide you with almost unlimited references.