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Tips to Manage Stress for Caregivers

In honor of National Caregiver Day on February 20, we thought now would be a good time to talk about the important role these individuals play as well as some of the challenges they face in providing care for others. Being a caregiver can feel both rewarding and exhausting. And finding a balance between those two can be difficult though not impossible. Keep reading to discover helpful tips to manage stress for caregivers.

The Role of a Caregiver

A caregiver is a person who provides support in a variety of ways to someone who requires assistance with daily activities and routines, social companionship, errands and household chores, and more.

Caregivers are often family members or friends who commonly provide needed help for free, and many of them do so while running their own households or working part- or full-time jobs. And they commonly provide help with:

• Personal care activities, like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
• Walking, navigating stairs, or other mobility needs
• Meal preparation and/or feeding
• Running errands
• Cleaning, laundry, or other household chores
• And more

Those who need caregiver assistance range from children to older adults and usually have physical or mental—or both—limitations that prevent them from performing daily or routine tasks on their own. This could be due to illness, age, disability, or chronic health conditions.

Signs of Caregiver Stress

Providing support to a loved one can be both satisfying and stressful. It can create stronger connections but also generate feelings of frustration. Because many caregivers have other responsibilities, too, they may naturally feel overwhelmed, overworked, and emotionally or physically exhausted.

Stress in any form can negatively affect the caregiver’s health, leading to burnout. And staying continually focused on providing care for someone else can inhibit some caregivers from protecting their own well-being. If you or someone you know is a caregiver, watch for signs of stress that include:

• Sleeping too much or not enough
• Constantly worrying
• Being easily agitated
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Often feeling sad or tired
• Frequent headaches or other physical ailments
• Little-to-no interest in activities

Over time, excess stress can have lasting physical, mental, and emotional consequences. So, it’s important for caregivers to recognize when they’re stressed and take steps to alleviate tension to protect their overall wellness.

Ideas for Managing Caregiver Stress

Even the strongest and most easy-going people can become overwhelmed by the physical and emotional demands of caregiving. And managing stress helps caregivers be their best selves so they can continue to care for their loved one. We recommend:

• Asking for and accepting help from family and friends
• Focusing on small wins
• Finding local support groups to connect, share struggles, and discover solutions
• Staying socially connected to family and friends outside of caregiving responsibilities
• Getting enough sleep, eating well, and incorporating regular movement throughout each day

Support for Caregivers

At Triniti Home Health and Hospice, we understand the rewards as well as the challenges many caregivers face when looking after a loved one. That’s why National Caregiver Day is so important. We want to be sure caregivers are both celebrated for their commitment and supported for their well-being. If you or someone you know would like additional ideas for managing caregiver stress, please reach out to our Triniti team. We’re always here to help.