Caregiver Burden and Wellness

Someone who provides any level of support, small or large, to another person is a caregiver.

Caregivers support others by performing daily tasks such as reminders, transportation, food, shelter, clothing and more. As a rule, parent caregivers of children are providing care willingly because parenting is something they “signed up for”.

Caregivers of children have an expectation that their caregiving efforts will ease up over time and yield positive results. 

Caregivers for adults 

Caregivers for adults also provide supportive care. Sometimes the caregiver for an adult finds themself reluctant, bitter or stressed as a caregiver because they didn’t “sign up for” it. Caregivers of adults are siblings, spouses, children or parents, just as caregivers for children can be siblings, neighbors, grandparents, etc.

The relationship between one adult and another becomes strained when the caregiver needs to provide personal care due to medical and cognitive issues.

Many adult caregiving tasks require touching the body of another adult. That can be upsetting since only intimate adult partners usually touch the body of another adult.

Caregiving is draining

Caregiving can be exhausting as any caregiver will attest. The days are long, the tasks are never completed, just cyclical. Whether the caregiver is providing for a child or adult, a relative or a stranger, caregivers are often stressed by the tasks they face on a recurring basis. 

To be an effective caregiver the important task of taking care of oneself is required. Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health. Wellness is not just about being physically healthy, it’s about emotional health, spirituality and other dimensions of coping with the challenges of everyday life.

Falling causes caregiver and client stress

Wellness Strategies Help Caregivers Cope

Wellness is an important concept for all caregivers to understand and embrace. Giving of oneself day in and day without respite is a recipe for burnout. Caregivers need to take care of themselves if they are taking care of others. It’s similar to the safety instructions that are given on an airplane “put your own oxygen mask on before attempting to help another”

What is Wellness?

According the the World Health Organization several key lifestyle areas are important for wellness. They include social connectedness, exercise, nutrition, sleep and mindfulness.

Each area has an impact on physical and mental health. By making simple and healthy wellness choices on a daily basis, caregivers are best equipped to reduce stress and have positive social interactions. Optimum wellness is the ideal foundation that a caregiver takes off from each day. If you are a reluctant, bitter or stressed caregiver it is a sign that it time to take better care of yourself and practice wellness routines to avoid burnout. 

The Many Types of Wellness

One group has identified eight dimensions of wellness, while others are content with four, five or seven areas. Having eight types of wellness to consider indicates a need for balance among all the areas. Considering all eight areas of wellness is important for analyzing caregiver burden and for choosing appropriate interventions.

The eight types of wellness are:

    • Occupational-satisfaction with how one occupies their time
    • Multicultural– awareness and sensitivity about the background of yourself and others 
    • Environmental-satisfying pleasant surroundings that support engagement in nature
    • Intellectual-engaging in creative and stimulating activities
    • Physical-healthy living habits that protect from harm
    • Social-connecting with others for meaningful support
    • Emotional-awareness and acceptance of feelings and emotions
    • Spiritual-values, beliefs and principles that give direction and meaning to life and existence

Consider the categories of wellness to  carefully assess the caregiver and the environment in which they function. Caregiving is often an under-appreciated burden. Just because a caregiver is cheerful, organized and competent doesn’t mean they are coping well and not in need of respite. Many caregivers strive to remain positive when they interact with their loved one to keep the atmosphere upbeat in spite of a stressful situation

What is Caregiver Burden?

Researchers have found a way to quantify caregiver stress using a questionnaire of 22 items with associated scoring. The tool is known as the Zarit Burden Interview. Results indicate if the caregiving burden is considered little, mild/moderate, moderate/severe or severe burden. Google the  Zarit Burden Scale and its scoring to assess your level of caregiver burden.

How to Unburden a Caregiver

Getting professional help is one way to assist a caregiver to take care of their own mental health needs. Professional help comes from mental health professionals, from geriatric care managers, from family members or from institutional sources such as care homes, adult day health, respite service, etc. 

Caring for a compromised family member can be not only physically and emotionally draining but also financially stressful so legal and financial matters that arise should be addressed by professionals. Communicating with someone who has cognitive deficits can be frustrating so caregiver training and respite services can help unburden a caregiver. 

Caregiver burden is especially stressful if the duo had a difficult emotional relationship in earlier life interactions. Unresolved childhood trauma issues can surface and affect the parent<> child relationship in unexpected ways, many years later, when resentments resurface. 

Research shows that the majority of caregivers are women who may feel obliged to give up personal time for the benefit of a needy family member. Spouses who become caregivers are especially likely to be stressed as their roles within the couple shift due to cognitive and medical issues.

What To Do If You Are a Caregiver ?

    • Do an internet search for the Zarit Burden Interview. Tally your score to find out your level of caregiver burden
    • Consider the eight dimensions of wellness as they apply to your life. Use that information to further evaluate the origin of, and level of your caregiver burden
    • Discuss the results with your family, friends and physician. Seek professional advice from those familiar with caregiving in your situation
    • Find actionable ways to reduce your caregiver burden proactively by accepting advice and support from professionals, family and friends. Contact the Informed Caregiver by completing the contact form below. Your concerns are our concerns. 
    • Seek additional information using the Caregiver Resources found in Table 4 below
Sharing caregiver burden at Block Island

Fill out the contact form below to ask your caregiving questions

Your concerns are our concerns

The Informed Caregiver is available for

Virtual Home Safety Visit

1:1 Caregiver Training

We assist caregivers to reduce caregiver burden

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