Page 54C
The Champion, Thursday, July 28, 2016
www.championnewspaper.com
Relief For The Stressed
By Tresa Erickson
Of the approximate 44 million
caregivers in the United States, 61%
are women. Most are middle-aged
with jobs outside of the home. They do
whatever it takes to provide for their
family and care for their loved ones,
whether coming into the office early,
staying late or reducing their hours
altogether. Many wind up burning the
candle at both ends, leaving them
exhausted and prone to caregiver
stress.
There’s no doubt about it. Caring
for a sick or disabled person can be
draining, emotionally, physically and
financially. Add to that the responsibility
of caring for a family, and it’s easy
to see why many women suffer from
caregiver stress. The problem can vary
in intensity, and if left untreated, it can
lead to a host of conditions, some short-
and some long-term.
Anger, frustration, exhaustion, guilt and
caregiver stress, Unfortunately, most
woman are too busy to recognize them,
much less deal with them. Many begin
to suffer from anxiety and depression
and become increasingly ill. They
catch bugs easily and take longer to
recover. Many also put on weight. All
of this can lead to the development of
more serious, life-long conditions, like
arthritis, cancer, diabetes and heart
disease.
Recognizing the presence of caregiver
stress is the first step in dealing with
it. Seeking help is the second. Many
communities offer a wide range
of resources for caregivers, from
transportation and meal delivery
services to home health care and
counseling services to support groups
and in-home volunteer services. Most
are available at a low cost.
Gathering support from family members
can also be beneficial, especially with
the financial aspects. Family members
burdens, or at the very least, share
the responsibilities. While one person
might be the main hands-on caregiver,
another might arrange for appointments
and another for food and clothes.
Classes are available to assist families
in sharing the duties of caregiving,
reprioritizing tasks and setting more
manageable goals.
There is no shame in asking for
help, whether in the form of assistive
devices or respite services. Women,
and anyone for that matter, suffering
from caregiver stress should check
with their state’s agency on aging and
take advantage of all the resources
available. More importantly, they should
take care of themselves, taking the time
to exercise and eat right and see their
doctor regularly. Ill, stressed caregivers
cannot provide the care needed for their
loved one or their family.
