Caregiving and its Stressors

“21-year-old Chris gets up every morning at 7 AM and gets his grandmother cleaned and fed and is ready for the day. Throughout the day he makes sure she eats, is hydrated, takes her medicines, exercises and goes to the toilet. At The end of the day, he must clean her and tuck her to bed before repeating all this the next day.”

Like Chris, we also at some point in our lives may have had or are currently taking care of our loved ones, and some people dedicate their lives to taking care of people as their job. All such individuals including Chris are what we call Caregivers. They are the ones who provide the necessary help and aid to people who cannot help themselves due to ageing, illness or some form of disability. Although not all may identify and label themselves as caregivers it is important to understand that they are the ones that are relied upon by the ones who need them for everyday functioning.

Caregiving can indeed feels rewarding to many especially the ones who take care of their loved ones as they get to spend time with them daily. However, caregiving is a routine task and most of the time does not include a day off as any other normal job would, this daily continuous repetitive cycle can over time start to become stress-inducing and thus affect the caregiving process.

Sources of Stress in Caregiving

Many factors play a role when it comes to proper caregiving and the source of stress and the stress that each caregiver experiences varies from individual to individual.

Caregiving was never an option

Those who feel this was caregiving can feel restrictive and burdensome. They often feel trapped and continue to provide care not because they want to but because it is their responsibility. For such individuals, stress is experienced in the early stages of caregiving and only worsens over time if proper care is not taken.

Financial difficulties

Since caregiving requires a lot of time and attention many caregivers find it difficult to hold stable jobs and earn a consistent income. Although some caregivers have family members who work, some rely on themselves to provide for themselves and the care receiver thus putting them in a financially tough spot and leading to various problems ultimately causing distress.

Lack of freedom and time for oneself

With caregiving daily, tasks become repetitive and less rewarding. Over time many caregivers have reported having felt bound to a routine cycle surrounding the care receiver, with little to no time left for themselves, to focus on themselves their own needs, desires and wants.

Decreased social interaction

In line with the above-mentioned section caregiving also decreases the amount of time spent socializing, leading to loneliness, anxiety, low mood and stress.

Besides the ones mentioned above, there are many other sources of stress that a caregiver has and it is important to understand that stress can be caused by not only one factor but a combination of many factors together. Stress can lead to irritation, anger, low mood, constant worry and a feeling of overwhelm. The sleep patterns and diet of the caregiver may also get affected. Stress can also lead to body aches, tiredness and/or fatigue. In some cases, caregivers resort to substances like alcohol to cope with the stress. Ergo ultimately leading to a low-quality lifestyle not only for the caregiver but also for the care receiver.

Thus, to deal with this stress one must find the appropriate solution or intervention, to make the process of caregiving smooth and beneficial.

Strategies for dealing with Caregiving Stress

Ask for help. Asking for help from family or friends can be essential when it comes to managing multiple tasks at one time. Build and establish communication with a list of people who are aware of your situation and develop an understanding of how they can provide help for you in times of need. One can also reach out for help in cases of financial aid as there are many NGOs and Non- profits that work towards helping caregivers in need.

Add time for yourself to the routine. As caregivers, one must remember that caretaking is only part of your routine and that one should include time for oneself to reconnect with oneself and partake in activities that are rejuvenating and relaxing.

Setting realistic goals is essential when it comes to caregiving. Caregivers are often left with the feeling of guilt when they are unable to give their all when it comes to caregiving. Thus by setting realistic goals one is able to clearly discern and understand what is in once capacity and what is not. Altogether decreasing the guilt and the stress experienced.

Joining support groups. Today there are many support groups that are created specifically to deal with the stress of caregiving. By joining such groups caregivers get an opportunity to connect with other caregivers and share stories and bond with one another. Thus building a sense of togetherness and community

Going for personal therapy. In personal therapy, caregivers are provided with their own safe space to be open and transparent with their difficulties and challenges, and over the course of it learn various healthy ways to cope with them.

Thus as caregivers, it is always important to remember, only if you take care of yourself will you be able to take care of others.

Disclaimer: This blog post is meant for awareness/entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice and one must refrain from self-diagnosing. It is in no way a substitute for therapy with a mental health professional and it is not meant to be clinical. To consult with a psychotherapist on our team, you can contact us on fettle.counselling@gmail.com.