Free Caregiver Resources
Caregiving is one of the most difficult and generous acts of love any of us will ever be called upon to perform on behalf of another.
You will do things you never thought you would, or even could do. The physical aspect of the job can be dreary, demanding, and sometimes downright disgusting.
As difficult as that is, it doesn’t even begin to compare to the emotional stress of the job. It is not unusual for caregivers to reach a point of physical and mental exhaustion that most people cannot even begin to conceive.
If you are currently providing care for someone who can no longer care for him/herself, it is important to understand that in order for you to care for someone else over an extended period of time, you must first learn to take care of yourself. Self-care is not about being selfish or self-centered, it is about survival.
There are currently 52 million informal and family caregivers providing care to someone over the age of 20 who is ill or disabled. *
78% of adults who receive long-term care at home get all of their care from unpaid family and friends – mostly wives and adult daughters. *
The extreme stress of caring for an aged, chronically ill, or disabled loved one can decrease the life expectancy of the caregiver by as much as ten years.**
*Source: A 2001 study conducted by the Family Caregiver Alliance - updated 2005** Source: Arno, Peter S., “Economic Value of Informal Caregiving,” presented at the Care Coordination and the Caregiving Forum, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, HNIH, Bethesday, MD, January 25-27, 2006
In order to get a baseline estimate of your current level of stress, read the following statements.
Check all statements that apply to you.
Most caregivers deal with 4 emotions over, & over, & over again
Anger . . . Guilt . . . Depression . . .& Grief
If you would like to know more about coping with these difficult feelings, watch video excerpts from one of Elaine’s recent presentations:
Topics:
- Sex, Dementia, and Humor
- Alzheimer’s Keynote
- Meet Madelyn
- Coping with Caregiver Anger
- Understanding Caregiver Guilt
- Recognizing Caregiver Depression
- Dealing with Caregiver Grief
- Claim Time for Yourself Each Day
- Accept Death as a Part of Life
Being a caregiver will test you – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Nothing can make caring for someone who can no longer care for him/herself easy. But there are some things you can do that will help you lessen your physical strain and manage your emotional stress. You may want to print this list and tape it to your refrigerator or bathroom mirror as a daily reminder to take care of yourself.
