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Coping With Elder Caregiving

Coping With Elder Caregiving. A Carebridge Seminar. Coping with Elder Caregiving. Introduction What is Caregiving? What Should Caregivers Know About Stress? Symptoms and Causes of Caregiver’s Stress Strategies for Stress Management What Resources are Available? Questions / Discussion.

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Coping With Elder Caregiving

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  1. Coping With Elder Caregiving A Carebridge Seminar

  2. Coping with Elder Caregiving • Introduction • What is Caregiving? • What Should Caregivers Know About Stress? • Symptoms and Causes of Caregiver’s Stress • Strategies for Stress Management • What Resources are Available? • Questions / Discussion

  3. A Caregiver . . . • May be a spouse, son, daughter, neighbor, close friend, or distant relative • Provides care out of love, a sense of obligation, or both

  4. A Caregiver . . . Is a person who is concerned about providing physical, emotional, or financial assistance to an older person

  5. A Caregiver . . . • Makes concessions and personal sacrifices to provide care for another person • May have competing responsibilities for children, spouse, and job

  6. A Caregiver . . . • Often interrupts or postpones personal goals because of caregiving responsibilities • May experience a wide range of emotions and feelings regarding the caregiving situation

  7. What is Stress? • A reaction to a situation that requires a person to respond or adjust

  8. What is Stress? • The release of cortisol – “stress hormone” • A physical reaction – blood pressure rises, heart rate increases • A signal to the body to be “on alert’

  9. What is Stress? • Some stress is beneficial • Prolonged stress can impact on health

  10. Emotional or physical exhaustion Physical problems Sleep disturbances Appetite changes Marital/family problems Conflict among life roles: spouse, employee, parent, caregiver Alcohol or drug misuse Depression Neglect or abuse of older person Symptoms of Prolonged Stress

  11. Avoidance Helplessness Resistance Reactions to Stress Unhealthy Reactions

  12. Rigidity Depression Anxiety Immobility Reactions to Stress Unhealthy Reactions

  13. Flexibility Taking Action Surviving Reactions to Stress Healthy Reactions

  14. Viewing as a challenge Acceptance Reactions to Stress Healthy Reactions • Adaptability • Resourcefulness

  15. Strategies for Preventing Caregiver Burnout • Identify your sources of stress • Set realistic goals and expectations • Establish your limits • Ask for and accept help • Take care of yourself • Involve other people

  16. STRATEGY 1: Identify Your Sources of Stress • Know which stresses you can do something about and which ones are beyond your control • Change your reaction to things beyond your control

  17. STRATEGY 2: Set Realistic Goals and Expectations • Know your individual situation • Try to balance what you think you “should” do to what you can realistically do

  18. STRATEGY 2: Set Realistic Goals and Expectations • Try to be objective when you assess your situation rather then be influenced by your emotions • Set short-term goals that are specific and can be achieved

  19. STRATEGY 3: Establish Your Limits • Learn how to say “no” • Communicate to family members and your ill relative about what your limits are

  20. STRATEGY 4: Ask For and Accept Help • Reach out for assistance, this is a sign of strength • Be specific about your needs • Be positive and flexible

  21. STRATEGY 5: Take Care of Yourself • Express your feelings • Maintain your health • Take time for yourself • Learn stress-coping mechanisms

  22. STRATEGY 6: Involve Other People • Hold a family conference • Involve professional help, if needed • Utilize community resources

  23. Senior Centers Transportation Services Home Health Aides Home-Delivered Meals Personal Emergency Response Systems Adult Day Care Centers Assisted Living Facilities Nursing Homes STRATEGY 6: Involve Other People Community Resources

  24. Carebridge Can Help 1-800-437-0911 www.myliferesource.com Confidential Services

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