Caregivers

“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 States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. However, family members who are actively caring for an older adult often don’t self-identify as a “caregiver.” Recognizing this role can help caregivers receive the support they need”.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

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 realize that your own health and well-being are suffering. Watch for these signs of caregiver stress:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried
  • Feeling tired often
  • Getting too much sleep or not enough sleep
  • Gaining or losing weight
  • Becoming easily irritated or angry
  • Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Feeling sad
  • Having frequent headaches, bodily pain or other physical problems
  • Abusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications”.8

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:

  • Accept help…
  • Focus on what you are able to provide…
  • Set realistic goals…
  • Get connected…
  • Join a support group…
  • Seek social support…
  • Set personal health goals…
  • See your doctor…”.9

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:

“Nearly 60 percent of caregivers work outside of the home. If you work outside the home and you’re a caregiver, you may begin to feel overwhelmed. If you do, think about taking leave from your job for a period of time.

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 options for unpaid leave”.10

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:

“Rather than struggling on your own, take advantage of local resources for caregivers. To get started, check out the Eldercare Locator or contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to learn about services in your community. You can find your local AAA online or in the government section of your telephone directory”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Caregivers?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Caregivers?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 10 Tips for Family Caregivers
  2. About Caring
  3. Agencies and Organizations [United States]
  4. Aging Parents: 8 Warning Signs of Health Problems
  5. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Video Resource Center
  6. Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging: Caregiving
  7. Alzheimer’s Disease: Anticipating End of Life Needs
  8. Anxiety
  9. Being There for Mom: My Caregiving Journey
  10. Busy Parents and Caregivers Must Care for Themselves
  11. COVID-19 and Family Caregiving
  12. Caregiver Health
  13. Caregiver Stories
  14. Caregiver Stress
  15. Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
  16. Caregiver.org [FCA Family Caregiver Alliance, United States]
  17. Caregiveraction.org [Caregiver Action Network, United States]
  18. Caregivers
  19. Caregivers Guide To Understanding Dementia Behaviours
  20. Caregivers: Basics – Aging Parents
  21. Caregivers: In-Depth
  22. Caregivers: In-Depth – Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Caregiver Depression
  23. Caregivers: In-Depth – Alzheimer’s: How To Help A Caregiver
  24. Caregiving
  25. Caregiving [Alzheimer’s and Dementia]
  26. Caregiving.com [CareGiving.com]
  27. Caregiving.org [National Alliance for Caregiving, United States]
  28. Carergiveraction.org [Caregiver Action Network, United States]
  29. Carersuk.org [Carersuk, United Kingdom]
  30. Carersweek.com.au: National Carers Week 2019, 13-20 October [Australia]
  31. Carersweek.org: Carers Week 2020, 8-14 June [United Kingdom]
  32. Carer’s Breaks and Respite Care
  33. Carer’s of People With Dementia: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
  34. Caring for More Than One Person In the Family [Video]
  35. Caring for Others: Resources To Help You
  36. Couragetocargivers.org
  37. Dementia Guide: Looking After Someone With Dementia
  38. Eldercare.gov: Eldercare Locator [United States]
  39. FCA Care Journey: Personal Caregiver Support [Family Caregiver Alliance, United States]
  40. Fact & Tip Sheets
  41. Family Caregiver Toolbox
  42. Family Caregiving
  43. Get Support If You Are A Caregiver
  44. Home Remedies: Anxiety and Herbal Remedies
  45. I Have A Job And I’m the Caregiver for My Loved One
  46. Instructional Care Giver Videos
  47. Internationalcarers.org [International Alliance of Carer Organizations]
  48. Long Distance Caregiving: Getting Started With Long-Distance Caregiving
  49. Looking After Someone With Dementia
  50. Make Yourself A Priority, Too: Tips for Caregivers
  51. Mayo Clinic Minute: Living Wills and the Holidays
  52. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  53. Menopause and Depression
  54. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  55. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  56. National Family Caregivers Month November 2019 – #BeCareCourious [United States]
  57. n4a.org [United States National Association of Area Agencies on Aging]
  58. Preventing Falls: Conversation Starters
  59. Resources By Health Issue or Condition
  60. Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
  61. Social Care and Support [United Kingdom]
  62. Stress Management: In-Depth – 3 Simple Strategies To Help You Focus and De-Stress
  63. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Don’t Forget Self-Care
  64. Stress Management: In-Depth – Stress Basics
  65. Support A Loved One At the Doctor: Quick Tips
  66. Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients
  67. Taking Care of YOU: Self-Care for Family Caregivers
  68. Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Caregivers
  69. Understanding Menopause – Booklet
  70. Useful Links: Carers [United Kingdom]
  71. Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
  72. Videos: Carers
  73. Women’s Health Week 7-11 September 2020 Women’s Health Week
  74. What To Do When You First Become A Carer [Video]

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.19 March 2020.  Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020
  2. Caregiver Stress: What Is A Caregiver? Medical Review In 2015. Page Last Updated: 03 June 2019. 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: 07 August 2020
  3. Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself. 19 March 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020
  4. Caregiver Stress: What Is A Caregiver? Medical Review In 2015. Page Last Updated: 03 June 2019. 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: 07 August 2020
  5. Caregiver Stress: Who Are Caregivers? Medical Review In 2015. Page Last Updated: 03 June 2019. 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: 07 August 2020
  6. Caregiver Stress: What Is Caregiver Stress? Medical Review In 2015. Page Last Updated: 03 June 2019. 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: 07 August 2020
  7. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself.19 March 2020.  Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020
  8. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – Signs of Caregiver Stress. 19 March 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020
  9. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – Strategies for Dealing With Caregiver Stress. 19 March 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020
  10. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – The Caregiver Who Works Outside the Home. 19 March 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020
  11. Stress Management: In-Depth – Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself – You Aren’t Alone. 19 March 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784 Accessed: 07 August 2020

Topic Last Updated: 07 August 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 07 August 2020
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