Caregiver and Stress: 7 Surprising Ways Caregivers Cope with Stress

Introduction

“Caregiving provides a sense of meaning and purpose.” It is a role which is perceived as rewarding and satisfying which can lead to a holistic care and decent quality of life. However it is crucial that stressful events are addressed effectively. If the stressors are not acknowledged, it can lead to guilt and frustration. 

Who Is A Caregiver?

A caregiver takes care of the physical and psychological needs of individuals who cannot provide for themselves. The aim is to improve the quality of life of the individuals and therefore they function as support system. They work with people across all age groups. There are different types of caregivers: Formal and Informal Caregivers.

Formal caregiver are licensed professionals who have a rich experience of working under supervision in various settings. Informal caregivers have no specific training, and they can be first degree relatives, friends, or relatives. 

Formal and Informal caregivers work closely and exchange information and knowledge that could result in effective care. Effective communication helps them to deal and overcome challenges. In other words, caregivers play a key role in helping people with day-to-day activities and allow them to do activities independently. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Caregiver Stress?

1. Physical Issues: Physical signs of caregiver stress could be gut issues, high or low blood pressure, change in sleep patterns, headache or poor immune system depending on the condition.
2. Emotional self:  While the physical signs are evident, they might have an impact on the emotional self. This might include mood shifts, irritability, and social withdrawal.
3. Self-care: They might fail to look after their health and take care of their needs. In other words, self-care gets neglected. They might refuse to take part in activities.
4.  Increased responsibility and social relationships: With increasing responsibility, caregivers might isolate themselves, which will impact their social relationships with family members.
5. Unaddressed grief: Caregivers, at times, might experience varied emotions ranging from anger to sadness, which takes the form of grief. Unaddressed grief may result in negative behaviour. 
6.  Providing better care: Changes in appetite will be present, and this could be due to the mind being preoccupied with the thought of providing better care.

Some Unexpected Methods Caregivers Use To Manage Stress

1. Sophrology technique: According to a US health report, caregivers engage in the sophrology technique, which aims to calm the mind and body. This technique helps to recognise the thoughts and emotions.
2. Resonance through cutaneous stimulation: Resonance through cutaneous stimulation is another method that involves applying vibrations to the skin to evoke a response. This is done through massage or a relaxation technique.
3. Zen zone method: The Zen zone method has been richly adopted. It seeks to provide space where caregivers can participate in leisure activities and take naps, which takes care of their minds and body.
4. Technique for identification of unconscious fear (TIPI): Technique for identification of unconscious fear (TIPI) developed by Luc Nihon. This involves experiencing the emotions without supressing them and noticing the physical sensations that come with it. As per a report it led to sense of relief and provided relaxation.

Common Misconceptions About Caregiver Stress

1.  Myth 1: “I should be positive all the time while providing care.” Caregiving can get stressful, and therefore, one must acknowledge and process every thought instead of neutralising and staying positive.
2.  Myth 2: “I have to do everything on my own.” One must always make use of the resources available. As doing this will give us insight into the issues plus the energy levels are conserved which will lead to enhanced productivity.
3. Myth 3: “My needs can be neglected.”  Caregiving can be a time-consuming process. One must take time out to prioritize their needs so that they can enjoy the process.
4. Myth 4: “They do not experience emotional turmoil.” Caregivers have to deal with their personal life. Stressors of personal and professional life may lead to distress. Thus, they must seek support whenever possible.

Treatment Of Caregiver Stress

1. Creating a flexible schedule and consuming a balanced diet.
2. Regular health check-ups should be done.
3. Relaxation techniques must be practised to relax the mind.
4. Doing some form of physical activity should be prioritised.
5. One must set boundaries and seek support.
6. Accepting, Acknowledging and Expressing the feelings will give them an understanding.

Conclusion

Caregiving is a selfless act which is rewarding and excruciating at the same time. Thus, it is important that stressors are addressed properly so that caregiving journey is fruitful. Broxon (2020) recommends conducting regular screening of caregivers to ensure that their functioning levels are optimal.

References

Sullivan, B.A., & Miller, D. Journal of Patient Experience. 2015;2(1):7-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/237437431500200103

Broxon, J., & Feliciano, L. (2020) Understanding the impact of caregiver stress. Professional case management, 25(4): p213-219, https://doi.org/10.1097/ncm.0000000000000414

Margaret J., & Zhengwu. The Gerontologist, Volume 56, Issue 6, 1 December 2016, Pages 1102–1113, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv038