Are You Experiencing Care Givers Anxiety?
Currently, studies show, three-quarters of those who remain in their homes depend solely on family and friends to meet their day-to-day needs with no professional support whatsoever. Sadly, family caregivers have little or no information or training about how to care for the physical and emotional needs for their ailing loved one. Rarely does anyone pay attention to the caregiver’s declining physical and emotional health, and many risk becoming patients themselves. For instance, When was the last time someone asked, “How are you doing?” Rarely does anyone really know about hands-on care, tube feedings, transferring bed-bound patients to wheelchairs or commodes, turning them to avoid bedsores, making judgments about which symptoms require immediate medical attention, and interacting with a cast of professionals often short on time, patience or shared information about the patient.
But at long last, this terrible disconnect can be avoided with professional support and advocacy. You may be looking for someone experienced in options for home health care or even care giver stress relief. You may feel stressed out, and overwhelmed with life. You may be noticing major conflict in the home with other family members.
What causes conflict?
Misperceptions. Role changes. Unresolved issues.
Misperceptions
It’s a common situation. A holiday or other event brings the family together, and there is a high expectation of joy and good times. That’s just the time when many families go into turmoil. Someone says something that is misinterpreted, and the battle begins.
These family squabbles often lead to years of heartbreak for all concerned.
Make sure before you get angry with the person you are caring for that you have your facts correct. Ask another family member for their impression of the argument -You may avoid unneccessary hurt.
Role Changes
Many of you, I’m sure, have stories of taking a loved one home from the hospital with no instructions on follow-up care and no one to call when you find yourself in trouble. What does it mean to be responsible for a sick, frail or disoriented loved one when you have no idea how to take care of them properly and nobody assigned to guide you? This can be confusing and sometimes caregivers wonder why the person they are caring for is not cooperative and caregiver stress can escalate. As caregivers you may need to make decisions that are challenging and unfamiliar to you. You find your self caring for a parent and it can be frightening for all those in your household.
You may experience resentment for input you have or decisions you are facing for the person or persons you now care for. This leaves you with responsibility, but lacking knowledge or resources needed for this new role in your life.
The persons you care for may view you as the enemy and may not understand you.
You will need to set reasonable limits before embarking on this role change, and learn to set boundaries and limits — for you , and your family as well as the person or persons you are caring for. Your mental health is very important at this time.
Unresolved Issues
Unfortunately, too many caregivers are not prepared emotionally, financially or physically for this new role. It is worse when the relationship was not good to begin with and both parties find themselves with little or no choice in the matter. Old feelings resurface and unresolved issues begin to nag you. You may now feel that you must do everything for the person you care for out of a sense of guilt, or an unwarranted sense of obligation. Angry feelings may surface and depression and anxiety can set in.
You, as a caregiver, may be feeling remorse, regret or frustration as you find yourself faced with caring for aging parents.
A skilled, experienced counselor can be of great help in this process. To learn more about counseling and how to get started, go to
http://www.glenmillscounseling.org/
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