Caregivers have a tremendous amount of responsibility. The caregiver must help the elderly or disabled relative or client with their self care and housework. The caregiver may take on the responsibility of reminding the client or relative to take medication or to notify the doctor if the person seems unwell. Caregiver burden refers to the physical and mental energy expended to fulfill the caregiver role.
The physical challenges of being a caregiver can be quite demanding. A caregiver may need to help someone in and out of the bathtub. If the person uses a wheelchair, the caregiver often helps the person to get in and out of the wheelchair as necessary. Many caregivers develop back problems from the heavy lifting that is required.
In addition to helping the client with mobility, the caregiver may have physical demands related to helping with the housework. Laundry, cleaning floors, cooking, and general housework all require energy and some physical exertion. More demanding tasks such as yard work and shoveling snow may also be required.
Being a caregiver is usually different from working other jobs. Many jobs allow for the employees to have breaks and lunch periods to be able to step away from the job for a period of time. Many caregivers do not have that opportunity. Caregivers, especially family caregivers, do not get much time away from their caregiver burdens.
Family caregivers may have financial and social burdens as well. The family member who is caring for an aging relative may have the financial strain of paying for the relatives medication and medical care as well as the person’s living expenses. If professional caregivers or nurses are hired at least part-time, the family may need to pay for those services.
A caregiver in the family who used to spend time with friends or engage in other social activities may no longer have the time to do so. Even if the family member has time for social activities, the caregiver may be reluctant or unable to leave the aging relative alone. This diminishment of social activities can cause feelings of isolation which add to the caregiver’s burden.
The burden of being a caregiver causes significant stress that can lead to health problems and depression. The demands on the caregiver and the effects of those demands can vary greatly. According to the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, caregivers of family members with dementia are twice as likely to require medications for depression or anxiety and be more affected by chronic illness than caregivers of relatives who do not suffer from dementia.
Caregivers can help themselves to avoid the effects of the burden. When possible, a caregiver should ask for help or hire a professional caregiver at least part-time to give the family caregiver a break.
If the caregiver has become isolated from friends and other family members, the person should make an effort to reconnect with friends and engage in the social activities the caregiver used to enjoy. The caregiver should try to make arrangements to allow for someone else to care for the relative for a period of time on a regular basis to give the caregiver some personal leisure time.