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Caring for older adults can be a fulfilling experience, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. As a caregiver, it's essential to take care of yourself and recognize when stress is overtaking your life. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety affects approximately 18% of older adults in the United States.
Taking on the responsibility of caregiving is no small task. It is a commitment that requires many hours, days, and long nights. Stress is a very common occurrence for caregivers and taking care of yourself, as a paid or non-paid caregiver, may be at the bottom of your list. We want to help you move that to the top of the list. This year, we explored Understanding Your Emotions to Help with Caregiving so you can increase your mental health and one of only ways to do that is through self-reflection. We shared with you a FREE Caregivers Journal and provided our best tips to make caregiving easier.
In collaboration with Rachael Wonderlin, Dementia By Day, Consultant to Source of Life Technologies
I work with caregivers on an everyday basis. I talk with them on the phone, I offer caregiving advice in support groups, I meet caregivers at weddings and baby showers, I receive emails from care partners asking for help or commenting on my blog posts. Everywhere, every time, care partners are fighting one battle or another. They bear an incredible amount of weight on their shoulders because they have their own lives to manage on top of caring for another person. Whether it is at home or in a dementia care community, caring for someone living with dementia can take a toll. Fortunately, there are ways to combat and cope with the stress of caregiving.
Stress is a very common occurrence for caregivers. No one is immune to it. Stress affects us all, yet it manifests itself in different ways for each of us and reminds every individual that stress management is vital to improving performance at home and work.