Family members who play a major role in caring for elderly relatives often ignore their own needs. However, it's just as important to take care of your own needs as it is to provide the best care for your dependent loved one. Ignoring your own needs and failing to manage stress can harm both you and the person depending on you.
When you experience an unusual level of stress, certain warning signals occur. Answering the following questions will increase your awareness of these signs. A "yes" answer to even some of these questions can indicate stress that has become debilitating. Recognizing the source of this stress is the next step in dealing with its destructive effects.
- Do you feel a loss of energy or zest for life?
- Do you feel out of control, acting or behaving in uncharacteristic ways?
- Do you lack interest in people or things that you once enjoyed?
- Do you feel increasingly isolated?
- Are you consuming more sleeping pills, medications, alcohol, caffeine or cigarettes than usual?
- Are you having increased health problems -- for example, high blood pressure, ulcers or difficulties with digestion?
- Do you have trouble falling asleep at night, or do you wake up too early or sleep too much?
- Have you noticed a change in your appetite or eating habits?
- Do you have trouble concentrating or remembering things?
- Are you increasingly irritable or impatient with others?
- Do you have thoughts of suicide?
Visit Lifeline next week for information on the causes of caregiving stress.
A community event sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging of Dallas County and Mental Health America of Greater Dallas will address caregiving stress on September 24. Review the event flyer Stress 9-24-09.doc for more information.
