Coping With Elder Caregiving
A Carebridge Seminar
Coping with Elder Caregiving
 Introduction
 What is Caregiving?
 What Should Caregivers Know About Stress?
 Symptoms and Causes of Caregiver’s Stress
 Strategies for Stress Management
 What Resources are Available?
 Questions / Discussion
A Caregiver . . .
 May be a spouse, son,
daughter, neighbor,
close friend, or distant
relative
 Provides care out of
love, a sense of
obligation, or both
A Caregiver . . .
Is a person who is
concerned about
providing physical,
emotional, or
financial assistance to
an older person
A Caregiver . . .
 Makes concessions and
personal sacrifices to
provide care for another
person
 May have competing
responsibilities for
children, spouse, and job
A Caregiver . . .
 Often interrupts or
postpones personal goals
because of caregiving
responsibilities
 May experience a wide
range of emotions and
feelings regarding the
caregiving situation
What is Stress?
A reaction to a
situation that
requires a person
to respond or
adjust
What is Stress?
 The release of cortisol –
“stress hormone”
 A physical reaction –
blood pressure rises,
heart rate increases
 A signal to the body to
be “on alert’
What is Stress?
Some stress is beneficial
Prolonged stress can impact on
health
Symptoms of Prolonged Stress
 Emotional or physical  Conflict among life
exhaustion
roles: spouse,
employee, parent,
 Physical problems
caregiver
 Sleep disturbances
 Alcohol or drug misuse
 Appetite changes
 Depression
 Marital/family
problems
 Neglect or abuse of
older person
Reactions to Stress
Unhealthy Reactions
Avoidance
Helplessness
Resistance
Reactions to Stress
Unhealthy Reactions
Rigidity
Depression
Anxiety
Immobility
Reactions to Stress
Healthy Reactions
Flexibility
Taking Action
Surviving
Reactions to Stress
Healthy Reactions
Viewing as a
challenge
Adaptability
Acceptance
Resourcefulness
Strategies for Preventing
Caregiver Burnout
Identify your sources of stress
Set realistic goals and expectations
Establish your limits
Ask for and accept help
Take care of yourself
Involve other people
STRATEGY 1:
Identify Your Sources of Stress
Know which stresses you can do
something about and which ones
are beyond your control
Change your reaction to things
beyond your control
STRATEGY 2:
Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
 Know your individual
situation
 Try to balance what
you think you
“should” do to what
you can realistically
do
STRATEGY 2:
Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
Try to be objective when you
assess your situation rather then
be influenced by your emotions
Set short-term goals that are
specific and can be achieved
STRATEGY 3:
Establish Your Limits
 Learn how to say “no”
 Communicate to family
members and your ill
relative about what your
limits are
STRATEGY 4:
Ask For and Accept Help
 Reach out for
assistance, this is a
sign of strength
 Be specific about
your needs
 Be positive and
flexible
STRATEGY 5:
Take Care of Yourself
Express your feelings
Maintain your health
Take time for yourself
Learn stress-coping mechanisms
STRATEGY 6:
Involve Other People
Hold a family conference
Involve professional help, if needed
Utilize community resources
STRATEGY 6:
Involve Other People
Community Resources
 Senior Centers
 Transportation
Services
 Personal Emergency
Response Systems
 Home Health Aides
 Adult Day Care
Centers
 Home-Delivered
Meals
 Nursing Homes
 Assisted Living Facilities
Carebridge Can Help
1-800-437-0911
www.myliferesource.com
Confidential
Services