The article from the New York Times (linked below) describes the toll taken on people who care for the older population. Caregivers often struggle without much support.
“A study recently published in The Gerontologist, comparing 576 family caregivers to nearly 3,000 non-caregivers, found significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression and disturbed sleep among the caregivers (average age, 59), most of whom were caring for people over 65.”
“The caregivers also reported less social interaction and more worries about finances and food, even after controlling for factors like income and employment.”
Major challenges facing caregivers include:
- emotional strain (stress, depression, isolation, guilt, burnout),
- physical toll (fatigue, sleep issues, weakened immunity),
- financial burdens (lost wages, care costs), and
- time management issues,
all while balancing work, personal life, and the complex demands of caregiving, leading to significant health and quality of life impacts. Caregivers often sacrifice their own needs, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and disconnected from others
A nationally representative online study administered in 2020 to explore caregivers’ mental and physical health distinguished between short-term (up to one year) caregivers, and those who had been in the role over a year.
“The findings, from nearly 4,800 respondents, showed that while caregivers suffered more psychological distress and fatigue than non-caregivers, the length of service made a pronounced difference. Long-term caregivers had much higher rates of physical symptoms like headaches, body aches and abdominal discomfort.”
According to NAFC, sooner or later, most of us may become caregivers to the people in our life – family, friends, neighbors, fellow congregants in a religious institution, just about anyone. Whether it is by choice, as in professional caregiving, or out of necessity due to your specific circumstances, the care process of a person with short- or long-term limitations due to illness, injury, or disability comes with its challenges.The caregiving role can be offering simple help with tasks every now and then, or it can become all-encompassing; 24/7, 365 days a year. Once a loved one takes on the role of caregiver, it can become difficult to set boundaries. Caregiver’s extra time, attention, and financial burdens can often be overlooked or taken for granted.
In reality, caregiving does not always come naturally for most people. While being a child to an aging parent or spouse to an ailing partner is fundamental in a caregiving relationship, being a caregiver requires a role change and can be a transformative process. This transformation is often not done by choice and comes with many compromises, often initially unrecognized even by the caregivers themselves.
Caregivers often forget their health and psychosocial needs because of the heavy involvement required in the life of the patient. Supporting caregivers in looking after themselves so that they remain attentive and alert to the person under their care is key. A caregiver not looking after themselves is not a good caregiver for the person they’re looking after. It’s important for caregivers to manage their own healthcare needs, including seeing their doctor regularly and engaging in activities that increase their energy levels and keep their mental state regulated. Caregivers need regular breaks in order for them to recharge.
Random surges in infection rates with corresponding closures of adult and senior centers, the fear or stresses of bringing in outside help, and rising costs significantly reduced the support available for the caregivers.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/21/health/coronavirus-home-caregivers-elderly.html
Elaine Korngold, LPC, at Ask Counseling LLC, provides mental health counseling for caregivers. A family caregiver provides any type of care for aging parents, grandparents, a disabled spouse, or another family member. Being a family caregiver could be exhausting due to the number of roles they has to play – caring for the loved one, providing for one’s own family, all while meeting the demands of working and running a household. Caregivers struggle, but rarely receive the praise they deserve and often forget to take care of themselves. Elaine runs Caregiver Support Group periodically, creating a small community of people struggling through similar challenges. Contact Elaine to schedule your free 20-minute phone consultation to learn more.