older people’s health issues
Care Providers: Family and Friends
Rewards and Challenges
 Stresses of caregiving can be very rewarding, even when it is hard work and causes stress. Many people choose to care for a spouse, partner, or parent out of love and respect. They find new meaning in their own life by making a difference in another person's life, even if their efforts are not always appreciated. However, no one can ever be fully prepared for the challenges of caregiving. Physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally, caregiving can be demanding, as in the following situations: Caregivers may have to do all household tasks, dress and bathe the person, make sure the person follows the prescribed medication regimen, manage the person’s finances, or a combination. They may spend their life’s savings while they care for a dependent parent or spouse, or they may have to quit their job to care for the person. They may have to continually attend to the person’s emotional needs. They may have to give up activities they enjoy. Family members may disagree or argue about who should provide or pay for the care and about other aspects of care. The demands may be more trying when caregivers themselves are frail, have been thrust into their role unexpectedly or reluctantly, or must care for someone who is uncooperative or combative. The many responsibilities and conflicts that come with caring for an older person can isolate a caregiver, compromise relationships, and threaten job opportunities. They can lead to mounting anger, frustration, guilt, anxiety, stress, depression, and a sense of helplessness and exhaustion. These feelings are sometimes called caregiver burnout. Burnout can affect anyone at any time but is more likely when the person being cared for cannot be left alone or is disruptive overnight. In the worst cases, when caregivers are unaware of or are unable to obtain help, burnout can lead to mistreatment of the older person, including abandonment and even . To determine how to provide the help an older person needs and to Avoiding Caregiver Burnout , caregivers often need to talk with different practitioners, including a social worker, a Caregivers can help avoid burnout by doing the following: Learning about the cause, symptoms, and long-term effects of the older person's condition Anticipating changes in the older person and in the level of care the older person needs Letting the older person make decisions and solve problems as much as possible Knowing their own limits Not taking the older person's anger, frustration, or difficult behaviors personally (these behaviors may be symptoms of a disorder such as dementia) Avoiding arguments and learning how to redirect difficult conversations Discussing responsibilities with other family members and friends, then asking them to help when appropriate and possible Discussing feelings and experiences with a friend, someone who has had similar experiences, or people in a support group Eating and exercising regularly and getting enough sleep Scheduling regular time for relaxing, enjoyable activities Obtaining information about the older person's financial resources Avoiding depleting personal finances Contacting organizations that can provide information and referrals for caregivers Using Day Care for Older People or Hiring a home health aide or health care practitioner, such as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or nurse's aide, to help if needed Talking to a counselor, therapist, or member of the clergy if needed Remembering that an Assisted–Living Communities or a 