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Health & Fitness

Caregiver: Take Care of Stress

Know what your stress indicators are and make plans to reduce your stress.

With an aging population and changes in health care, such as shorter hospital stays, more and more caregiving is being provided by people who aren't health care professionals. A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, whether that's an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. Indeed, more than 65 million Americans provide care to a loved one.

An AARP Survey taken a few years ago show that caregivers said they do not go to the doctor because they put their family’s needs first or they put the care recipient’s needs over their own More than half said they do not have time to take care of themselves and almost half said they are too tired to do so.

The question caregivers have to ask is this: How can I take care of you if I can’t take care of myself?

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Those of us who have been fortunate enough to take care of a loved one know how rewarding that can be.  Being there for a loved one when he or she needs you is a basic value for many. But being a caregiver can exact a high toll, and caregiver stress is common.

The emotional and physical strain of caregiving can adversely affect your health. In some cases it undermines the very strengths you want to provide as a caretaker. Unfortunately we can become so focused on our loved one that we don't realize own health and well-being are suffering. It’s important to recognize the signs of stress. They include:

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  • Constant fatigue
  • Feeling overwhelmed and irritable
  • Under or over-sleeping
  • Weight gain or loss
  • A loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities

Overtime, too much stress can hurt you; you might experience depression or anxiety. In addition, you may not get enough physical activity or eat a balanced diet, which only increases your risk of medical problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.

To deal with the stress, it’s important to know about and take advantage of help and support. Create a list of ways that others can help you – prepare a meal, yard care - so that when someone asks you can let them select a task that is best suited for them.

You can also join a group of other caregivers whose loved ones have similar illnesses or disabilities, such as an Alzheimer’s support group. These people can understand some of the issues you and your loved one are facing and can also provide a social network.

Keep up your own health routines as best as you can. Exercise, diets and regular medical attention will help you keep in shape so that you can continue to provide your loved one with the quality of care you believe they deserve.

J. Dietrich Stroeh is author of Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing (2012 FolkHeart Press). For more information, visit www.threemonthsbook.com.

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