CDHA Healthy Workplace
Care for Caregivers Series
:
Caregiver Stress: A Portrait
Presented by: Heather Rea, MSW
Social Worker, SMH Team CDHA Keri-Leigh Cassidy, MD
Overview
•
What is a caregiver? (vs provider)
•
Who is a caregiver?
•
Are You a caregiver?
•
Rewards, Risks, Stresses
•
What You Can Do
What is a Caregiver?
• Helping out in 1 or more ways:
– Personal care
– Helping around house
– Transportation/ shopping – Orchestrating care
– Psychosocial support- visits, calls – Financial/ legal affairs
– Living with you or you with them
• Caregiver vs. “provider”=> Formal, employed
“ Caregivers aren’t unpaid because they’re worthless… but because they are priceless.” -- quote for a member of
In Canada
•
Currently 1 in 11 Canadian seniors has a dementia•
The prevalence of dementia is expected to rise to nearly 1.1 million Canadians by 2038•
More than 1 in 12 Canadian seniors care for another senior with a chronic condition•
Close to 50% of community residing seniors receive care ONLY from family members or friends (Liu et al. 2007)•
In 2007, Canadian caregivers are estimated to have saved the health care system $5 billionIn Nova Scotia
•
We have the oldest provincial population•
The population will double in 20 years (from 15% to 30%)•
By 2033 the NS seniors population will be 257, 874 (an increase of 86% from 2007)•
Approximately 1000 Nova Scotians turn 65 every month•
36% of Nova Scotians provide unpaid care-higher than national average
Nova Scotia Caregiver Study:
Who is a Caregiver in NS?
Nova Scotia Caregiver Study:
“A Portrait of Unpaid Care in NS”
(2006)•
Majority are under 65 years, married/ living with others, are permanentlyemployed as well
•
Majority are adult children of carerecipient (seniors) not residing together
•
NS women caregiving: more intense, frequent and stressful caregiving roles•
Most common caregiving: mental disorders, long term conditions, or temporarily difficult timeMany Nova Scotian Caregivers are:
•
Raising children
•
Volunteering
•
Working full or part time
•
OR
ALL THREE
!
Nova Scotia Caregiver Study:
“ A Portrait of Unpaid Care in NS” (2006)
Are YOU A Caregiver?
DO YOU:
•
Care for a family member or friend at home•
Visit a friend or family member in a nursinghome
•
Have a child with mental or physical challenges•
Phone a friend/ family member regularly to check on them, make sure they take their meds or to see how they are each dayRecognition and Support
for the Role of Caregivers
•
Psychosocial needs and support required for caregivers in caring for seniors, should be an integral part of any health care plan•
The importance/ value of this group and saving health care costs are too large to ignore•
Caregivers also employed as careproviders in the health care system are aspecial group!
Recognize Yourself as Caregiver
and Care Provider
•
Sandwich- wrap generation!
•
Caring for aging parents, spouse, friend,
relative
•
Caring for aging patients in an evolving
health care system
Caregiving: Joys & Rewards
•
New relationship with care recipient•
Chance to give back, show love•
Sense of accomplishment•
New skills, knowledge, inner strengths•
Increased compassion, growth•
New relationships through support groups•
Building memoriesRisks of Caregiving
•
Increased risk of stress-related illness•
Increased risk of substance abuse•
Increased risk of depression•
Increased risk of premature death•
Decreased self-careSources of Caregiver Stress
•
Emotional and physical strain•
Changing roles•
Changing relationships•
Competing demands•
Increasing isolationWhat is Stress?
• Normal part of everyday life
• Positive stress- Short term, can enable us to “rise to the occasion”; even happy events can be stressful
• Negative stress - Too many stressors at the same time; chronic, unrelenting stress
• Often think of “stress” as only an emotional reaction
Signs of Caregiver Stress
Physical
– Headaches; muscle tension
– Digestive problems; changes in eating patterns – Sleep disorders
– Sexual difficulties – Teeth grinding – Obesity
– Diabetes
– Heart problems, high blood pressure
Signs of Caregiver Stress
Mental & Emotional
– Worry, fear, anxiety – Anger, irritability, guilt
– Depressed mood, pessimism, lack of caring – Decreased concentration and disorganization – Memory loss, confusion
– Difficulty making decisions, decreased problem-solving skills
– Decreased ability to be flexible – Feelings of being overwhelmed
Signs of Caregiver Stress
Behavioural
– Nervous habits (pacing, fidgeting, nail-biting) – Smoking, drinking
– Crying
– Yelling, swearing, throwing things – Blaming
– Giving up hobbies or interests once enjoyed, friendships and social connections (faith
groups, clubs, etc.)
Barriers to Accepting Help
•
Beliefs•
Attitudes•
Lifelong patterns and habits•
Misconceptions•
Negative "self-talk“The Importance of Self-Care
"Even the most dedicated workers
need an occasional vacation, and this is
especially true of caregivers. A
burned-out caregiver cannot provide quality
care.”
D. Helen Susik, Gerontologist. Suncoast Gerontology Center, University of South Florida
Self-care: Things You Can Do
•
Exercise•
Healthy eating•
Stress reduction•
Seek intellectual and social opportunities•
Stay organized, plan ahead•
Make a schedule to include personal priorities and responsibilities•
Get support as needed – Go online, support groups, day programs etc.Steps for Managing Stress
1)
Know what condition you’re dealing with
2)
Build on your own general health
3)
Make changes to the situation where
possible
4)
Change the way you view the situation –
consider your attitude
5)
Practice relaxation techniques
Managing Stress
1) Know what you’re dealing with
– Understand the disease/ condition – Plan ahead
– Be honest about what you can and cannot do
– Be aware of available programs & services
Managing Stress
2) Build on your general health
– Exercise – Nutrition – Rest
Managing Stress
3) Make changes to the situation
– Assertive communication
– Arrange practical home help – Join a support group
Managing Stress
4) Change the way you view the situation
The ABC theory:
A – Activating event
B – Beliefs or ideas about “A”
Managing Stress
5) Practice relaxation techniques
– Stretching
– Progressive muscle relaxation – Clearing your mind
– Visualization – “Mindfulness”
Caregiver: What You Can Do
• Self care: Caregivers NS
– http://www.caregiversns.org
• Visit Alzheimer Society Website
– http://alzheimer.ns.ca
• Canadian Mental Health Association
– Click on ‘mental health and the family’ – Click ‘aging parents’
• Information- Back of Room
– Seniors mental health Helping Tree – Caregiver Self-Care Tips sheet
– Positive Aging Community Resources for families and seniors – Stress Reduction workbooks
Upcoming Session
Care for Caregivers Series
•
Part III: Navigating the System
– Tuesday Dec 7th, 1215-1300 hrs Royal Bank Theatre
