Caregiver Stress Essay

Although the focus is on evaluating the caregivers’ quality of life, it is important to acknowledge how the patient themselves are in terms of well-ness when analyzing the caregiver, as varying levels of dementia can determine the amount of care needed. Shua-Haim, Hain, Shi, Kuo & Smith (2001) found that caregivers who cared for patients with depression were 3.1 times more likely to develop depression themselves, than those who took care of non-depressed patients. Baumgartern et al. (1994) older study indicated relatively similar results. After taking the CED scale, caregivers of dementia patients were 2.1 points more depressed than compared to the non-dementia caregiver group. These studies indicate, if the patient resembles depressive like symptoms, caregivers will likely do the same. It is also important to consider the patient’s symptoms and behavior as a factor on burden and the emotional toll it takes on the caregiver. Beach et al. (2005) found patients who needed more care in their activities of daily living, were more likely to report potentially harmful caregiver behaviors. This suggest possibly a higher negative impact on informal caregivers, caring for loved ones with more severe dementia.

In the U.S, one in four will be aged 60 years and older by 2050 (U.S. Census Bureau). This represents an overwhelming number of people who will either be in the caretaker role or be the ROC. Like today, most of the care will be provided by informal unpaid caregivers. The number of informal unpaid caregivers is expected to rise from 20 million in 2000 to 37 million in 2050 (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation [ASPE], 2003). Because of the burden of care giving, many caregivers will experience depression, poor health and quality of life (Etters, Goodall, & Harrison, 2008). Their well-being is an important public health concern.

Throughout this interview, the presenting issues appear to be ambivalent relationships, and caretaker strain {as determined by a high score on the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire–Short Form (CGSQ-SF)}. Gilbert appears to have role confusion with emerging leadership conflicts and

According to Kim, Chang, Rose, & Kim (2011), care-giver burden has been defined as a multidimensional response to the negative appraisal and perceived stress resulting from the taking care of an ill individual (p. 846). More easily stated a care-giver is a person who assists another individual with one or more of their daily activities of living. A person who finds it necessary to care for a loved one suffering from dementia often finds the task daunting if not polarizing. The role of caregiver often times has a negative effect on the caregiver. These can include feelings of depression, isolation, fear and anger as well as the feelings of constant responsibility and social isolation (Kim et al., 2011).

Caregivers play a crucial role in the care of dementia patients. Providing care for dementia patients results in stress related health impacts to the caregiver. The caregivers go through a journey with the dementia patient and need a strong support system. The best approach to dementia care is for health care providers to provide information to and monitor the caregiver, in addition to the dementia patient, encourage the caregiver to take care of themselves, to seek support, and to work as a team to provide the best care for the dementia patient.

This stems from frustration, misunderstanding, and often times an actual inability for those afflicted to express themselves. Lives are forgotten, simple daily tasks become insurmountable feats, and those suffering can even have a distaste for the ones they love the most. The impact can be equally devastating for their family members and caregivers. A New York Times article even equated the emotional and physical toll of caregiving as similar to the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Graham). Over time, this disease becomes exponentially more domineering and destructive. Until we can better understand the functionally of Alzheimer's, people associated with the disease can seek counseling, support groups, and information on more efficient ways to cope. There is even a great outlook for these services to increase as The U.S. DHHS also included a goal to “Expand Supports for People with Alzheimer's Disease and Their Families” in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. As part of this goal, nationwide strategies include providing the resources to help family caregivers continue to provide care while maintaining their own health and well-being; assisting families in planning for future care needs; and helping to maintain the dignity, safety, and rights of people with Alzheimer’s (National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease). As a result, quality of emotional

Caregiving is a responsibility best managed with plenty of help. Being a caregiver is very hard and tough work. It is very important that caregivers are taking care of just like their patients. Many caregivers give everything they have and do not rest when they really should take time to breathe and have time for themselves. That is why there are many organizations for caregivers and their patients. These organizations are made for the caregivers to teach them to be the best that they can be at their job and also making sure that their mental state is doing well.

Roberto and Mancini (2009) states, “Informal care is generally provided by untrained social network members known as family or friends which generally takes place in the home of either the caregiver or the care recipient. Informal caregivers also play an important role in long-term care settings where they offer companionship, emotional support, and assistance with daily activities (e.g., feeding, bathing etc)”.

Millions of people are in the role of a part or full time caregiver in the U.S to family members who have a serious illness or disability. This a a very challenging and demanding role that needs to be recognized and appreciated.

In order to address the study objectives, Wolff and colleagues (2015) developed multiple outcomes to characterize informal caregivers. To evaluate the health and wellbeing of caregivers, the primary outcomes were self-reported financial, emotional, and physical difficulties that were related to caregiving activities. Additional indicators of health and wellbeing among caregivers that were utilized as primary outcomes

The demands for informal care are also increasing due to the growth of the oldest old with chronic illnesses, more women finding jobs outside of the home, more complex families that include older relatives living with their adult children, and racial and class inequities. These households may not be able to afford total long-term care and then have to rely on informal caregivers. However, these families then lack the knowledge they need and are unprepared when they are providing informal care. They are not informed on the aging process or any sources available to their older

Providing care for a family member can cause a tremendous strain for the primary caregiver in many areas of his/her life including financial, physical, and psychological which often results in both increased emotional needs and physical complications for the caregiver (Eun-Jeong Lee, DeDios, Fong, Simonette & Lee, 2013). As disabled older adults live longer lives, there is now an increasing need to rely on others to assist them with their day-to-day activities and activities of daily living (ADL), and that role often falls upon the spouses of the impaired or close family members (Barbosa, Figueirdo, Sousa & Demain, 2010). Research data provided by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) estimated that there were approximately 44 million caregivers age 18 and over, with one third of those caregivers being male, whom were providing care to adults age 50 and above (National Alliance for Caregiving, 2015). These

KR is a single 55 year old African American man providing primary care for his mother who’s health is abruptly declining due to dementia. Recently, KR has expressed the care of his mother requires excessive responsibility and the care has become burdensome. KR is susceptible to burnout if he is not able to cope with the caregiving requirements As a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), referrals for hospital and community based services, such as hospice or in-home care that are available to support KB and the care his mother should be prepared. Family caregivers frequently seek approval and support from health care professionals as they make decisions regarding the needs of their family member. It is imperative that family caregivers are aware of

Many studies have taken place over the last twenty years, which have brought to light the negative consequences caring for people with dementiaPwD has on the wellbeing of carers’, most notably . A study by Schultz, et al., (1995) noted that the most frequent clinical conditions examined are depression and anxiety .; O other symptoms may include sleep deprivation, negative changes in immune function and hypertension. In a review of 37 publications, which evaluated differences between caregivers and non-caregivers health and cognition, Fonareva et al (2014: 725-726) suggest report that familial carers, in particular, suffer from chronic stress, exacerbated by ‘excessive time constraints, increased chores, and behavioural management issues of the PwD, together with anticipatory grieving’; ‘often

One of the most stressful things you may have to go through as your loved one ages is the realization that they can no longer safely remain fully independent. Since the topic of moving into an assisted living situation or arranging in home care is touchy, many people avoid it as long as they can. Yet, if your loved one's health, safety, or general welfare is at risk, then a conversation really needs to be held in the immediate future.