According to The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, “the prevalence of caregiving for someone age 50 or older is up significantly—estimated at 16.8 percent compared to 14.3 percent in 2015. This means that one in six Americans are caregivers of someone 50 years old or older.” While many of them took the responsibility of providing care for a family member willingly, an overwhelming number of them believe they had no choice in assuming the role of caregiver.
Caregivers In the US 2020 report finds: “When asked if they had a choice in taking on the responsibility to provide care for their recipient, 53 percent of 50+ caregivers felt they had no choice in taking on this role.” This can cause enormous caregiver frustration and resentment for a caregiver, particularly among siblings in situations where one sibling feels they have been forced into the caregiver role.
Families can alleviate caregiver frustration.
Family members can help alleviate this frustration. Develop a plan for other family members to occasionally step in to relieve the primary caregiver. The sacrifice can be as little as a few hours a week. It can make an enormous difference to a caregiver. As well, this is especially true if you feel you are unfairly shouldering the burden of caring for a loved one on your own.
The emotional state of the person cared for is another leading cause of frustration among caregivers. Remember, it is very common for a senior in long-term care to become depressed. This can manifest itself in anger, emotional outbursts, or refusal to cooperate with the caregiver. As a result, the caregiver may experience increased exasperation and frustration.
Caregiver stress is a very normal occurrence—even for professionals.
While you can’t control your loved one’s emotions, you can control how you respond to them. Staying calm and in control can help defuse the situation and prevent escalation. Take a deep breath and try to fully assess the situation from the perspective of the person receiving the care. If the roles were reversed, how would you feel at that moment?
Also, caregivers need to remember to take the time to care for themselves, both physically and mentally. Many caregivers ignore their own personal needs, skipping medical appointments, not eating regular meals, and not getting adequate sleep. The long-term effects of those choices can be devastating. They can lead to poor health, increased frustration, and an inability to provide adequate care.
Understandably, when the elderly lose their independence and mobility, it can be difficult to come to terms with. They often vent frustrations on a family member even more than on a professional caregiver. The key is to remember that you are not alone and that there are healthy ways to cope with and reduce your stress.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for a loved one, remember that help is available. At David York Agency, we provide full and part-time support for caregivers and their families to lessen the burden of ensuring their loved one is safe, happy, and healthy.
David York Agency Home Healthcare Can Help Seniors
At David York Agency, we understand the many challenges and risks faced by the aging and elderly and are dedicated to providing care to support them through all of those ups and down. At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies in that provide in home healthcare services.
DYA we could provide direction as to how to manage the total care of your senior loved one. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations. For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at (718) 376-7755. A free phone consultation can help you determine what services would meet your needs. We aim to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
For more helpful tips and information, check out our blog or contact us today.
