The IAA One Minute Blog

During any given year there are more than 44 million Americans who provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled person. While being a caregiver to a loved one can have numerous rewards, it can also be stressful.

What is Caregiver Stress?

A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need. Caregivers help with many things:

• Bathing
• Cooking
• Dressing
• Eating
• Giving medicine
• Grocery shopping
• House cleaning
• Paying bills
• Using the toilet

Altogether informal caregivers provide 80% of the long-term care in the United States.

Being a loved one's caregiver can be stressful. Caregiver stress is the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. It can take many forms. Caregivers may feel:

• Exhausted when going to bed at night
• Frustrated and angry
• Guilty because they think that they should be able to provide better care, despite all the other things they have to do.
• Lonely because all the time they spend caregiving has hurt their social life.

There are rewards to caregiving. It can make you feel needed and can lead to a stronger relationship with the person receiving care.

Signs of Caregiver Stress

Your body sends out physical and behavioral warning signs of caregiver stress:

• Behavioral warning signs:
  

-Acting on impulse

-Changing jobs often

-Overreacting

-Using alcohol or drugs

-Withdrawing from friendships

• Emotional warning signs:
  

-Anger

-Frequent mood swings

-Sadness or periodic crying

-Unproductive worry

• Physical warning signs:
  

-Chronic back pain

-Chronic fatigue

-Neck pain

-Problems with sleep

-Stooped posture

-Sweaty palms

-Tension headaches

-Weight gain or loss

Being a caregiver can be a challenge.Take time for yourself every day, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Relieve Caregiver Stress

Finding ways to reduce caregiver stress will help lessen the long-term emotional and physical toll. Tips for managing stress include:

• Accept help: Be prepared with a list of ways that others can help you.
• Be assertive, instead of aggressive: Assert your feelings, opinions or beliefs instead of becoming angry, combative or passive.
• Exercise regularly
• Focus on what you can provide: Feeling guilty is normal, but understand that no one is the "perfect" caregiver.
• Get enough rest and sleep: Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.
• Join a support group: A support group can be a great source of encouragement and advice from others in similar situations.
• Keeping a positive attitude: Believe in yourself.
• Learn to use stress management techniques and coping mechanisms.
• Limit yourself to moderate alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Seek social support: Make an effort to stay emotionally connected to family and friends.
• Set realistic goals and expectations.
  

Don't let caregiving get the best of you! Empower yourself with information and surround yourself with those who love you. Also, remember to celebrate the important milestones--celebrations help us to remember the important things in life.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America knows that being a caregiver has its ups and downs. What's important is that you make your health a priority so you can continue caring for your loved one. Could you benefit from a  wellness program? IAA would be happy to discuss wellness program options with your employer or broker. Remember, with IAA one call does it all.

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