Caregiver Syndrome - Caregiver Stress Syndrome
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Caregiver Syndrome - Caused by Overwhelming Caregiving Activities
Caregiver Stress Syndrome is a way to describe the physiological and psychological changes experienced as the result of chronic stress due to ongoing caregiving activities.
Caregiver Stress Syndrome are actual physiological and psychological symptoms that result from the ongoing emotional strain of caregiving for a loved one, or attending to the all of the needs of a child or dependent adult.
The impact of caregiving on the caregiver is starting to be recognized. Physicians are being encouraged to learn how to identify their patients at risk for Caregiver Stress Syndrome.
The Number of Caregivers on the Rise
Aging Baby Boomers Will Increase the Numbers of People Needing Care
If you don't already care for a family member who is aging, ill or dependent, there is a good chance that at some point you will be.More Americans are finding themselves taking care of someone who's aging or ill or both. According to the American Academy of Geriatric Psychiatrists, one out of every four American families cares for someone over the age of 50. As the current generation of baby boomers ages, that number is projected to skyrocket.
In 2000, the Census Bureau reported, just under 35 million Americans were 65 or over. The number of American over the age of 65 is projected to more than double, to more than 71 million by 2030.
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
Image Source: Cleveland Caregiver Handbook. A Guide for Individuals Who Care for Persons with Dementia.
Could You Be Suffering From Caregiver Stress or Caregiver Syndrome?
Questions to Ask Yourself and Find Out
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
If you answer yes to any one of these, you may be suffering from caregiver stress.
If you answer yes to any one of these, you may be suffering from caregiver stress.
- Do you take care of someone in your family with a chronic medical illness or dementia?
- Do you attend of the needs of a child in your family?
- Have you felt depression, anger or guilt?
- Has your health deteriorated since taking on the responsibility of caregiving?
Do any of these quotes describe how you feel as a caregiver?
More Questions to Consider
Source: Cleveland Caregiver Handbook. A Guide for Individuals Who Care for Persons with Dementia.
If you answer yes to any one of these, you may be suffering from caregiver stress.
If you answer yes to any one of these, you may be suffering from caregiver stress.
- "I'm like a pot ready to boil over."
- "I used to go out and now I am a prisoner in my own home."
- "I feel like I am out of control."
Defining Caregiver Syndrome
A Debilitating Condition for the Caregiver
Caregiver Syndrome has been defined as:
Source:
Latham PH, Posner J. 2006. Caring For Persons With Dementia. Available from the American Stroke Association Website.
- A debilitating condition brought on by unrelieved, constant caring for a person with a chronic illness or dementia.
Source:
Latham PH, Posner J. 2006. Caring For Persons With Dementia. Available from the American Stroke Association Website.
Caregiver Stress Syndrome (CSS) - Proposed Defininition
The Result of Acute or Chronic Stress Due to Caregiving Activities
Caregiver Stress Syndrome (CSS) is a proposed definition:
Source:
Guia DM. 2003. Caregiver stress syndrome. Letters to the Editor. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
- A syndrome found in caregivers involving pathological, morbid changes in physiological and psychological function. This syndrome can be the result of acute or chronic stress, directly as a result of caregiving activities.
Source:
Guia DM. 2003. Caregiver stress syndrome. Letters to the Editor. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
Caregiving Can Damage the Health of the Caregiver
Chronic Caregiver's Stress May be Similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Caregiving can be very damaging on the health of the caregiver. According to a study published in 1999 in the Journal of the American Medical Association researchers Richard Schulz and Scott Beach from University of Pittsburgh reported that elderly caregivers are at a 63 percent higher risk of mortality than noncaregivers in the same age group.
They found that the physical symptoms of caregiver stress are a result of a prolonged and elevated level of stress hormones circulating in the body. Researchers likened exhausted caregivers' stress hormone levels to those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Additionally, the chronic stress of caring for someone can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and a compromised immune system.
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
They found that the physical symptoms of caregiver stress are a result of a prolonged and elevated level of stress hormones circulating in the body. Researchers likened exhausted caregivers' stress hormone levels to those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Additionally, the chronic stress of caring for someone can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and a compromised immune system.
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
Common Physical Health Complaints Experienced by Caregivers
How Caregiving Affects the Caregiver's Physical Health
In his 2003 article on Caregiver stress syndrome, Australian Research Journalist, David M. Guia described his finding from research on Caregiver stress. He likened exhausted caregivers' stress hormone levels to those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
Physical symptoms that caregivers experience are a result of a prolonged and elevated level of stress hormones circulating in the body. Some of these physical symptoms include:
Physical symptoms that caregivers experience are a result of a prolonged and elevated level of stress hormones circulating in the body. Some of these physical symptoms include:
- Slow wound healing
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Stomach complaints
- An increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- An increased susceptibility to infection
- Humoral and cellular immune dysfunction
- High antibody titers to common viruses
- Adrenal exhaustion
- Altered catecholamine, steroid and hormone levels
- Disruptions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenalaxis
- Many of the symptoms associated with chronic, unyielding stress
- Source: Guia DM. 2003. Caregiver stress syndrome. Letters to the Editor. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
Emotional Health Complaints of Caregivers
How Caregiving Affects the Caregiver's Emotions
In his 2003 article on Caregiver stress syndrome, Australian Research Journalist, David M. Guia described the emotional health complaints experienced by caregivers. Citing that not only do caregivers experience physical symptoms, but emotional ones as well. These emotional symptoms are listed below.
Source: Guia DM. 2003. Caregiver stress syndrome. Letters to the Editor. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
Source: Guia DM. 2003. Caregiver stress syndrome. Letters to the Editor. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Resentment
- Anger
- Fear
- Helplessness
- Despair
- Depression
Getting Caregivers to Get Help
Recocognize the Signs and Symptoms First
Many exhausted and ill caregivers do not seek help because they do not even realize that they have a recognizable condition--caregiver stress or the more prolonged version caregiver syndrome.Caregivers tend to be so immersed in their role that they neglect to take care of themselves. Caregiver stress is not only related to the daunting work of caregiving, but also the caregiver grief associated with the decline in the health of their loved ones.
The impact of caregiving on the caregiver is starting to be recognized. Getting the caregivers to recognize that they may be affected by their caregiving and then getting physicians to identify their patients at risk for Caregiver Stress Syndrome can help.
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
Photo Source: Modified Microsoft Image.
Articles on Caregiver Syndrome, Caregiver Stress Syndrome
- Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name - CNN.com
- An article on a new way to classify caregiver stress - Caregiver syndrome.
- Caregiver stress syndrome - Letter to the Editor Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients - Find Articles
- An article on Caregiver stress syndrome - Letters to the Editor - Letter to the Editor from Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients.
Discovering Caregiver Stress
Encouraging Physicians to Ask About Caregiver Stress
Physicians, too, are not always certain how to approach the issues raised by long-term caregiving. Although the term "caregiver syndrome" is widely used among allied health professionals such as hospice workers and nursing home assistants, the syndrome is not yet recognized in American medical literature. Without that official validation, it's not surprising that this problem is not addressed more by physicians.
A survey in the American Academy of Family Physicians found that fewer than half of caregivers were asked by their doctors whether they had caregiver stress. Vitaliano believes that more research should be done to help spread awareness.
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
A survey in the American Academy of Family Physicians found that fewer than half of caregivers were asked by their doctors whether they had caregiver stress. Vitaliano believes that more research should be done to help spread awareness.
Source: LeRoy A. Exhaustion, anger of caregiving get a name. CNN.com Health Section. 2007.
Caregiver Stress, Caregiver Burden and Burnout
Hidden Effect of Caregiving
Helping Physicians to recognize Caregiver Stress and Caregiver Burden in their patients.
- Postgraduate Medicine: Caregiver burden and burnout
- An Article from Postgraduate Medicine aimed at helping primary care physicians to identify Caregiver burden and Caregiver burnout.
- With Alzheimer's, the Caregiver Is a Patient, Too
- As the disease progresses, Alzheimer's patients become increasingly dependent on others for their health, welfare and survival. From the Medical College of Wisconsin.
- Caregivers to benefit from increased physician awareness of AAA services
- A press release from several years ago about Caregivers to benefit from increased physician awareness of AAA (Area Agencies on Aging) services.
- Caregiver Stress -- familydoctor.org
- Information about caregiver stress from the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Self-Assessment Questionnaire
- AMA (Public Health) Caregiver self-assessment tool
- A Caregiver self assessment questionnaire available in English and in Spanish to help caregivers determine how they are coping with the additional challenges of being a caregiver.
A Chance to Share Your Opinion
There are several different terms being used for caregivers who care too much. Some advocate labeling the impact of caregiving on caregivers as a 'syndrome.'
What do you think?
Pick your favorite term. They are listed alphabetically.
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Brochures on Helping Caregivers Prevent Caregiver Stress
- Caring For Persons With Dementia
- A helpful brochure with frequently asked questions regarding caring for someone with dementia.
- A Guide for Individuals Who Care for Persons with Dementia
- A helpful brochure for preventing caregiver stress from becoming harmful from the Cleveland Caregiver Handbook.
- Caregiver Tip Sheet
- From the National Family Caregiver Support Program for the Elderly and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, a helpful brochure for Caregivers.
- National Family Caregiver Support Program - Fact Sheet
- A series of helpful fact sheets from the U.S. Administration on Aging.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
From the U.S. Administration on Aging
The U.S. Administration on Aging is an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is one of the nation's largest providers of home- and community-based care for older persons and their caregivers.
- National Family Caregiver Support Program
- The Caregiver Resource Room is where families, caregivers, and professionals can find information about The National Family Caregiver Support Program.
Squidoo Lenses to Help You Take an Online Break
Taking a Break - Respite Care
Respite provides caregivers a break from their daily responsibilities. Respite can cover a wide range of services based upon the unique needs of the caregiver.
Respite might mean:
Respite might mean:
- Medical or social adult day care for the loved one or friend
- A short-term stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility for the loved one or friend
- A home health aide or home health companion
- A private duty nurse
-
Source:
Caring Connections. Respite - Taking a Break. CaringInfo.com
Caregiver Hub - Helping those who help others
Caregiver Hub provides resources for professionals and family member.
- Caregiver Hub :: Caregiver tools and resources
- Caregiver tools, resources, links, and forum for those who give care.
- About the Care Book :: Caregiver Hub
- The Care Book is a printable book that lets you keep important information at your fingertips for someone receiving care. You can customize, maintain and print a new version periodically to keep all information up to date.
Other Squidoo Lenses on Caregivers, Caregiving and Caregivers Stress
Types of Respite - More Ways of Taking a Break
Ways of Giving a Caregiver a Break
Caregivers should be sure to take a break often enough to maintain a healthy balance between caregiving and their own personal needs.
Suggested ways of giving the caregiver a break include:
Suggested ways of giving the caregiver a break include:- Giving the caregiver a short break for a doctor's appointment or to go shopping
- Allowing the caregiver the opportunity to nap, bathe, or otherwise rejuvenate
- A break to attend a church service or see a movie
- Taking a much needed vacation
- Pampering oneself with a hair appointment or manicure
- Scheduling elective surgery
- Simply visiting friends or other family members
-
Sources:
Caring Connections. Respite - Taking a Break. CaringInfo.com
Photo Source: Modified Microsoft Image.
A Squidoo Lens on Another Way of Helping
Lotsa Helping Hands Can Help Organize Offers of Support
Recommended Books to Help the Caregiver Keep Caregiving
Available on Amazon
A list of some of the books available on Amazon that focus on supporting caregivers and reminding them to care for themselves.
Reader Feedback on Caregiver Stress Syndrome
Your place for comments, messages, suggestions, ideas and feedback
What do you do to manage your Caregiver stress?
Be sure to leave your tips, comments, rank the site, pass on the word about the site (email) and leave a message (Reader Feedback).
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LewesDE
Feb 17, 2012 @ 12:31 pm | delete
- Nice lens. Interesting reading!
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NickyT
Dec 21, 2011 @ 9:40 pm | delete
- An important lens that I am grateful to have found and read. Stress is certainly incredibly debilitating. Good resource. Thank you.
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LaraineRose
Dec 19, 2011 @ 9:17 pm | delete
- I am so happy to see that you received a purple star for this lens. I can identify with this problem and was happy to read the lens and watch the YouTubes. This lens has helped me understand how my siblings might feel. Thank you. Blessed.
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iCare4uk
Oct 11, 2011 @ 4:02 am | delete
- An excellent lens, good to see this subject being tackled.
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Lenskeeper
Aug 29, 2011 @ 11:56 am | delete
- This is an important issue. There are so many people that basically give up their own lives to be caregivers and don't take care of themselves the way that they should. It's a really tough situation.
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by Comfortdoc
Comfortdoc
Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor,... more »
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