“Caring for a loved one
strains even the most resilient people. If you’re a caregiver,
take steps to preserve your own health and well-being”.1

Umbrella
What may the Caregivers Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Caregiver
  • Caregiving
  • Carers

Caregiver

Who is a caregiver?

DotS the definition of a caregiver may vary. The Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“A caregiver is anyone who provides care for another person in need, such as a child, an aging parent, a husband or wife, a relative, friend, or neighbor. A caregiver also may be a paid professional who provides care in the home or at a place that is not the person’s home”.2

The (United Kingdom) Carer’s Week definition is:

“A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support”.3

Informal Caregiver

Who is an informal caregiver?Caregivers

DotS the definition of an informal caregiver may vary. The Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“People who are not paid to give care are called informal caregivers or family caregivers”.4

Common or Not

Are there many caregivers?

In the United States according to the Womenshealth.gov:

“Most Americans will be informal caregivers at some point during their lives. A 2012 survey found that 36% of Americans provided unpaid care to another adult with an illness or disability in the past year. That percentage is expected to go up as the proportion of people in the United States who are elderly increases. Also, changes in health care mean family caregivers now provide more home-based medical care. Nearly half of family caregivers in the survey said they give injections or manage medicines daily.

Also, most caregivers are women. And nearly three in five family caregivers have paid jobs in addition to their caregiving”.5

Caregiver Stress

What is caregiver’s stress?

In Caregiver Stress: What Is Caregiver Stress? the Womenshealth.gov elaborate on:

“Caregiver stress is due to the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. Caregivers report much higher levels of stress than people who are not caregivers. Many caregivers are providing help or are “on call” almost all day. Sometimes, this means there is little time for work or other family members or friends. Some caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the amount of care their aging, sick or disabled family member needs”.6

The Mayo Clinic also acknowledge:

“Caring for a loved one strains even the most resilient people. If you’re a caregiver, take steps to preserve your own health and well-being”.7

COVID-19 Stress

Can COVID-19 add more stressors to caregiving?

In Women, Caregiving and COVID-19 the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note:

“Women who are caregivers have a greater risk for poor physical and mental health, including depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic can add even more stressors to caregiving”.8

Caregiver Stress Signs

What are caregiver’s stress signs?

In Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – Signs of Caregiver Stress the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“As a caregiver, you may be so focused on your loved one that you don’t see how caregiving affects your own health and well-being. The signs of caregiver stress include:

  • Feeling burdened or worried all the time
  • Feeling tired often
  • Sleeping too much or not enough
  • Gaining or losing weight
  • Becoming easily irked or angry
  • Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Feeling sad
  • Having frequent headaches, or other pains or health problems
  • Misuing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medicines
  • Missing your own medical appointments”.9

Caregiver Stress Management

What are stress management tips for caregivers?

In Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – Strategies for Dealing With Caregiver Stress the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“To help manage caregiver stress:

  • Ask for and accept help…
  • Focus on what you can do…
  • Set goals you can reach…
  • Get connected…
  • Join a support group…
  • Seek social support…
  • Take care of your health…
  • See your health care professional…”.10

Unpaid Leave

Is it possible to take unpaid leave to be a caregiver?

DotC (Depending on the Country) taking a break from work may be possible. The Mayo Clinic note:

“Caregivers who work outside the home can feel burdened. If this describes you, think about taking a leave from your job for a time if you can afford to do so.

Employees covered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act may be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year to care for relatives. Ask your human resources office about choices for unpaid leave”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to find out about help and support for caregivers?

If you would like to find out about help and support for caregivers, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk about this to the health care provider of the person you are caring for or your health care provider.

Your country’s equivalent of a local community health center, national and/or state Departments/Center/Institute of Aging/Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia/Health/Human Services/Seniors may also provide information about health services, financial assistance, respite care, support groups and other services.

For example, in the United States the Mayo Clinic explain:

“To start, check out the national Eldercare Locator or contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about services in your area. Or try your state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center. You can find these resources online or in a telephone directory.

There also are mobile apps and web-based services that give support to caregivers. These services can help build coping skills and teach about caregiving”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Caregivers?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Caregivers?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself. 09 August 2023.  Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 16 November 2023
  2. Caregiver Stress: What Is A Caregiver? Page Last Updated: 14 August 2023. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.html Accessed: 16 November 2023
  3. Carers Week: Who Is A Carer? Carers Week https://www.carersweek.org/ Accessed: 16 November 2023
  4. Caregiver Stress: What Is A Caregiver? Page Last Updated: 14 August 2023. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.html Accessed: 16 November 2023
  5. Caregiver Stress: Who Are Caregivers? Page Last Updated: 14 August 2023. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.html Accessed: 16 November 2023
  6. Caregiver Stress: What Is Caregiver Stress? Page Last Updated: 14 August 2023. Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/caregiver-stress.html Accessed: 16 November 2023
  7. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself. 09 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 16 November 2023
  8. Women, Caregiving, and COVID-19. Page Last Reviewed: 21 June 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/women/caregivers-covid-19/index.html Accessed: 16 November 2023
  9. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – Signs of Caregiver Stress. 09 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 16 November 2023
  10. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – Strategies for Dealing With Caregiver Stress. 09 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 16 November 2023
  11. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – The Caregiver Who Works Outside the Home. 09 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 16 November 2023
  12. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – You Aren’t Alone. 09 August 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784 Accessed: 16 November 2023
Topic Last Updated: 30 November 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 November 2023

Print Friendly, PDF & Email