This article describes the toll the pandemic has 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.”
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.”
Random surges in infection rates with corresponding shutdowns, closed adult and senior centers, and the fear of bringing in outside help significantly reduced the support the caregivers may have been arranged for themselves prior to the pandemic.
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.