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[Please
note that the material on this page was current when
it was first posted. For up-to-date information on this
topic, visit the Alzheimer
Care section.]
10
Signs of Caregiver Stress Media Kit
Jan.
4, 1999
Brochure
Are
You Providing Alzheimer Care?
10 Signs of Caregiver Stress
Taking
care of someone with Alzheimer's disease can be a demanding
task. It requires time and energy. Even looking after
someone you love can be difficult. Even with youth and
good health on your side, caregiving can be hard. To
continue giving care, it is essential that you look after
yourself.
Knowing
and recognizing the signs of stress in yourself or someone
you care about is the first step in taking action. Finding
ways to reduce the stress will help to lessen the long-term
emotional and physical toll of caregiving. As a caregiver
you should take care of yourself; you are the most important
person in the life of someone with Alzheimer's disease.
The
following is a list of common signs of caregiver stress.
Review the list and if you or someone you know is experiencing
a number of the symptoms on a regular basis, call your
doctor or contact your local
Alzheimer Society for help.
1.
Denial…about the disease and its effect on the person
affected.
"I
know Mom will get better. They must have made a mistake."
2.
Anger…at the person with Alzheimer's disease and others.
"If
he asks me that question once more I will scream!"
3.
Withdrawing socially…you no longer want to stay
in touch with friends or participate in activities you
once enjoyed.
"I
don't care about getting together with the neighbours
anymore."
4.
Anxiety…about facing another day and what the future
holds.
"I'm
worried about what will happen when I can no longer provide
care."
5.
Depression…you feel sad and hopeless much of the
time.
"I
don't care anymore."
6.
Exhaustion…you barely have the energy to complete
your daily tasks.
"I
don't have the energy to do anything anymore."
7.
Sleeplessness…you wake up in the middle of the night
or have nightmares and stressful dreams.
"I
rarely sleep through the night, listening to hear if
Dad is out of bed."
8.
Emotional reactions…you cry at minor upsets; you
are often irritable.
"I
cried when the grocery store was out of my favourite
cereal. Then I yelled at the clerk."
9.
Lack of concentration…you have trouble focusing
and you find it difficult to complete complex tasks.
"I
used to do the daily crossword, now I am lucky if I can
concentrate enough to solve one quarter of it."
10.
Health problems…you may lose or gain weight, get
sick more often (colds, flu), you may develop chronic
health problems (backaches, headaches, high blood pressure).
"Since
the spring, I have had either a cold or the flu. I just
can't seem to shake them."
Adapted
with permission from the Alzheimer's Association, U.S.
Back
to the Media Kit introduction page.
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