Last week we discussed the warning signs of caregiving stress. Once you recognize the stress, the next step is to identify the stressor -- What caused it?
The causes of stress vary with the caregiver and his/her responsibilities. What creates stress for you may not create stress for someone else. There are, however, some common sources of caregiving stress, which can be identified in the next series of questions.
After you answer the questions, look carefully at those to which you answered "yes." You will want to focus your full attention on these specific areas as you work to reduce stress.
- Are there many demands on your time, energy, or money?
- Do you feel that your responsibilities conflict with each other?
- Is there a difference in the expectations of your family, your boss, your dependent relative and yourself?
- Do you believe that you do not fully understand the older person's mental or physical condition?
- Do you have difficulty meeting your relative's physical or emotional needs?
- Are you pressured by financial decisions and a lack of resources?
- Do you feel a loss of freedom, a sense of being "trapped"?
- Is there disagreement among family members?
- Do you feel that other family members aren't doing their share?
- Does the older person place unrealistic demands and expectations on you?
- Is there a lack of open communication between yourself and the older person or other members of the family?
- Do other family memebers have negative attitudes that you must contend with?
- Can you see deterioration in your family member that is painful to watch?
- Do you have other problems with children, marriage, employment, or health?
Stay tuned next week for strategies to manage stress.
