In a world where the population increasingly overworks and under-rests, professional caregiver jobs to those that need it most are often ostracized. Stress on caregivers increases significantly when they feel forced to care for others because they cannot escape it. Even if these caregivers live in different houses than their loved ones, the disruption of routines and an inability to speak for themselves can cause a lack of sleep and constant worry about whether or not their loved one is eating, drinking properly, or otherwise doing what is needed to stay healthy.
These feelings of stress manifest themselves in numerous ways from insomnia to health problems.
1. Inability to Communicate
Depression and anxiety are some of the main issues that can arise for caregivers who do not have any say in their workload. Not being able to communicate with their loved one can also cause a loss of self-worth, as well as feelings of isolation, often resulting in physical harm to the caregiver.
2. Hard Work
Caregivers do not get a paycheck for their services and must spend long hours taking care of those who cannot care for themselves without help. Caregivers must resolve problems while they occur, clean up after those they are caring for, and take on responsibility that often is not theirs, so it is not surprising that many caregivers feel pressure and stress when it comes to their work.
3. Inability to Prioritize
Caregivers must balance their own needs with the needs of others in their care, causing them to prioritize what is most needed. This can be a good thing for caregivers and those they are caring for because it makes sure that those who need it most get the help they require. However, when caregivers feel like their own needs are not being met their stress levels increase dramatically over time.
4. Financial Burden
Many family caregivers lose money while they are caring for those they love because they do not receive payment for their work or cannot work outside of the home without it being detrimental to caregiving efforts.
5. Inability to Focus on Own Life
While working on caregiving, many caregivers must give up hobbies and other interests that they used to love because their mind cannot focus on anything else. This can create a feeling of isolation for caregivers who feel like their own life is having trouble.
6. Physical/Emotional Distress
Physically and emotionally stressed out caregivers become more likely to experience physical sickness and depression, as well as other illnesses.
7. Psychological Health Problems
In addition to the aforementioned physical conditions, psychologically stressed caregivers may experience issues with their mental ability to care for themselves or others around them without the proper rest or nutrition needed for optimal functioning daily.
8. Increased Risk for Illness
Caregivers are more likely to experience a number of illnesses, including but not limited to asthma, hypertension, diabetes and even cancer.
9. Inability to Take Care of Self
Sometimes caregivers are unable to take care of themselves because they have been inundated with the responsibilities that have fallen to them. This leads victims of stress from self-care and neglecting their own needs and wellbeing in favor of those who need care.
10. Loss of Loved One
The last blow that caregivers face is when their loved ones pass away due to the strain that disease and old age can cause on caregivers. Caregivers are often the last people to see their loved ones alive, and many caregivers feel a great deal of guilt that they were unable to do anything to help or alleviate the pain that their loved ones felt in the final days.
Summary
Stress is a part of daily life for caregivers, from the difficult days of taking care of sick or elderly family members to the more unusual and out-of-the-ordinary situations that cause stress. Those who take care of others are often under a great deal of pressure, as well as feeling overworked and not receiving payment for their services.
