Caregiver Stress

Healthy Survivors and their caregivers learn about the signs and symptoms that may signal a medical or emotional problem that needs attention from the patient's healthcare team, and they learn what to do when they detect such signs or symptoms.

Healthy Survivors and their caregivers also learn the signs and symptoms of caregiver stress.

The Alzheimer's Association offers a useful summary of "10 Symptoms of Caregiver Stress." I'll paraphrase here:

1. DENIAL about the disease and its effect on the patient.
2. ANGER at the patient, the members of the patient's healthcare team, or friends and family.
3. SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL from friends and family, and from activities that used to bring pleasure.
4. ANXIETY about the future.
5. DEPRESSION that affects the caregiver's ability to cope.
6. EXHAUSTION that interferes with the ability to fulfill necessary daily tasks.
7. SLEEPLESSNESS caused by discomforts, concerns, nightmares, or tending to the patient.
8. IRRITABILITY marked by moodiness, snapping at others, and impatience with ordinary delays.
9. LACK OF CONCENTRATION that makes it difficult to perform usual tasks.
10. HEALTH PROBLEMS that take their toll, physically and emotionally.

While the physical changes take place in the body of the patient, the illness experience affects the patient's loved ones, too. Healthy Survivors need and want their caregivers to get the guidance and support they need to be effective caregivers.

Comments

[Anne Orchard]

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for this thoughtful post. I find that having some of the symptoms you mention is almost inevitable, both among caregivers and also other family members. Often the caregiver will try to keep how they are feeling from the person who has cancer. This can result in a climate of secrecy, where everybody knows about the issue but no-one is talking. This lack of communication can make relationships more difficult, at a time when they are absolutely vital.
This is why we are working to encourage family members to look after their own needs through our website http://www.familiesfacingcancer.org and book 'Their Cancer - Your Journey'.
With best wishes,
Anne

[Kairol Rosenthal]

I have a printed card from the Alzheimer's Association with those 10 tips for caregivers. It is sitting in the bathroom because going to the bathroom used to be the longest period of uninterrupted time I had to read them.

I am a cancer patient in my 30s. My husband and I are the primary caregivers for his dad with dementia. We both work mad hours - me promoting my book about young adult cancer - him as a non-profit environmental lawyer.

Last night we were getting ready to make the 45-min haul out to his locked dementia facility in the far suburbs when I said to my husband - I cannot do it. I'm so tired my body hurts. My immune system is going to get wrecked if I don't get some more sleep tonight.

Sometimes it is impossible to make those decisions because we are needed and have no other choice but to tend to his needs and stay up late making up missed work hours and repeat it all the next day. Sometimes it is impossible to eliminate all of the 10 stressors listed above.

We do what we can, when we can.

Best,
Kairol
blog - http://everythingchangesbook.com/

[Wendy S. Harpham, MD]

Attention is being paid to the needs of caregivers. Thank goodness, because millions of Americans are caring for elderly or ill loved ones, and this caregiving is taking a huge toll.

The 10 signs and symptoms are not necessarily to be avoided at all costs. Rather, they are intended to alert people to problems BEFORE burnout occurs or dangers rise (e.g., driving when exhausted).

Caregivers can't avoid all the stress and strain, the ups and downs. What they can do is minimize them and get help before a crisis.

As Healthy Survivors, you do the best you can do for others without jeopardizing your health (physical, mental, spiritual). And the best is the best you can do.

Thanks for your comments Anne and Kairol. With hope, Wendy