Coping With Elder Caregiving A Carebridge Seminar

 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 Coping with Elder Caregiving

 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 A Caregiver...

 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

 Emotional or physical exhaustion  Physical problems  Sleep disturbances  Appetite changes  Marital/family problems  Conflict among life roles: spouse, employee, parent, caregiver  Alcohol or drug misuse  Depression  Neglect or abuse of older person Symptoms of Prolonged Stress

 Avoidance  Helplessness  Resistance Unhealthy Reactions Reactions to Stress

 Rigidity  Depression  Anxiety  Immobility Unhealthy Reactions Reactions to Stress

 Flexibility  Taking Action  Surviving Healthy Reactions Reactions to Stress

 Viewing as a challenge  Acceptance Healthy Reactions Reactions to Stress  Adaptability  Resourcefulness

 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 Strategies for Preventing Caregiver Burnout

 Know which stresses you can do something about and which ones are beyond your control  Change your reaction to things beyond your control STRATEGY 1: Identify Your Sources of Stress

 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 2: Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

 Learn how to say “no”  Communicate to family members and your ill relative about what your limits are STRATEGY 3: Establish Your Limits

 Reach out for assistance, this is a sign of strength  Be specific about your needs  Be positive and flexible STRATEGY 4: Ask For and Accept Help

 Express your feelings  Maintain your health  Take time for yourself  Learn stress-coping mechanisms STRATEGY 5: Take Care of Yourself

 Hold a family conference  Involve professional help, if needed  Utilize community resources STRATEGY 6: Involve Other People

 Senior Centers  Transportation Services  Home Health Aides  Home-Delivered Meals  Personal Emergency Response Systems  Adult Day Care Centers  Assisted Living Facilities  Nursing Homes Community Resources STRATEGY 6: Involve Other People

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