Risk Factor -- Feeling Stressed While Caring for a Family Member or Friend

• Family caregivers provide most of this nation’s long-term care to older adults.
  
  
• Family members whose caregivers are stressed are more likely to eventually move to a nursing home.  
  
  
• While often rewarding, caregiving can still take a toll on your emotional and physical health.  
  
  
• Common causes of caregiver stress are:
  
  
• Physical strain from caregiving^[1]
  


• Problems with sleep related to caregiving responsibilities
  


• Coping with the person’s behavior, memory loss, declining health or condition
  


• Money concerns
  


• Having your normal routine disrupted
  


• Feeling “trapped” or unable to take a break or get away
  


• Inadequate support  and/or resentment towards other family members


• Women are at a greater risk of stress than men. And, adult children are at a greater risk than a spousal caregiver.

KEY TIP:   Family caregivers who accept help and support from others are less likely to feel stressed and beside one’s self.   

Other Tips