Did you know most of us will be an informal or family caregiver at some point in our lives? According to WomensHealth.gov, there are more than 44 million Americans providing care to an elderly or disabled adult, family caregivers currently provide 80% of long-term care in the United States, and an AARP study finds that family caregivers are being asked to provide “increasingly complicated procedures.”
How it breaks down:
- 61% percent of caregivers are women
- Most caregivers are middle-aged
- 13% of caregivers are 65 years or older
- 59% of family caregivers have jobs in addition to caring for another person
More than half of employed women caregivers have made changes at work such as going in late, leaving early, or working fewer hours to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities — a perfect recipe for caregiver burnout.
Do you know the symptoms of caregiver burnout? WebMD provides a resourceful list of what to look for:
- Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless, and helpless
- Changes in appetite, weight, or both
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Getting sick more often
- Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Irritability
Tips to avoid caregiving stress:
- Learn where and what community resources may be available
- Start making lists of where the gaps are in what care you are providing and what further care is needed
- Make sure to make smart lifestyle choices to remain healthy
- Schedule time for yourself – days can pass by quickly when caregiving, so pencil yourself into the day
- Print out this ‘tips’ list and put it on your refrigerator!
The challenge of caregiving is becoming a national concern and we are here to provide the latest information and make your experience easier, with time left for yourself!
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Resources:
Caregiver Stress Fact Sheet | WomensHealth.gov
Follow @womenshealth
AARP Finds Toll On Family Caregivers Is ‘Huge’ | NPR
Follow @nprnews
What Is Caregiver Burnout? | WebMD
Follow @webmd
Tips for Avoiding Caregiver Burnout | HealthInAging.org
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More:
The 7 Deadly Emotions of Caregiving | Caring.com
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Relief for the Stress of Care-Giving | NY Times
Follow @nytimes
Caregiver Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety, Stress & Worry | AgingCare.com
Follow @agingcare
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