Ten warning signs of caregiver stress

This webpage from BrightFocus Foundation (brightfocus.org), an organization addressing Alzheimer’s Disease, has a list of ten warning signs of caregiver stress:
* Denial
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Irritability
* Anger
* Poor concentration
* Withdrawal
* Sleep problems
* Exhaustion
* Illness

How many do you have?!

Robin

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www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/learn-warning-signs-caregiver-stress

Tips & How-Tos
Learn the Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress
Thursday, June 18, 2015
BrightFocus Foundation

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is an enormous responsibility. Learn how you can watch for the warning signs of caregiver stress and what you can do to help cope with being a caregiver.

There’s an estimated of 60-70 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of Dementia who are cared for in their homes, often by loved ones who are not medically trained. It’s no wonder that caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease suffer high levels of stress.

As the disease progresses, your caregiving efforts will require ongoing vigilance and around-the-clock monitoring. You may be called upon to adapt to changes in the person you are caring for and develop new skills to shoulder an increasing amount of responsibility. If your caregiving efforts are surpassing your ability to cope well, it may be because of stress.

What Are the Warning Signs of Stress
Here are some warning signs of stress that a caregiver may experience:
* Denial: Maintaining a belief that the care receiver’s illness is not serious or that it may not even exist.
* Anxiety: Worrying excessively about the future.
* Depression: Feeling hopeless or powerless about the situation.
* Irritability: Blowing up over little things.
* Anger: Feeling angry at inappropriate times.
* Poor concentration: Having difficulty focusing.
* Withdrawal: Feeling alienated from other people and from activities that used to bring enjoyment.
* Sleep problems: Sleeping poorly or too much.
* Exhaustion: Feeling chronically tired.
* Illness: Experiencing health problems. Prolonged stress also can contribute to illnesses such as weakened immune systems, high-blood pressure, and heart disease.

This content was last updated on: Thursday, June 18, 2015