Caregivers Tips--
With the Holidays quickly approaching it is imperative to cook ahead & freeze, as well as shop in advance--young people love gift cards or checks now a days (NO NOT send cash through the mail). When this isn’t enough to relieve stress, you may find depression creeping into your life. Comments such as “snap out of it” or “it’s all in your head” are not helpful causing you to become more depressed.
One of today’s all-too silent health crises is called “Caregiver Depression.” Family Caregiver Alliance conservatively estimates at least 20% of caregivers suffer from depression-twice the rate of the general population. California’s caregiver Resource Center, nearly 60% show clinical signs of depression. Even former caregivers can’t escape this after caregiving ends.
A recent study found that 41% of former caregivers of a spouse with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia experienced mild to severe depression up to 3 years after the spouse had died. Women caregiver’s experience depression at a higher rate than men since women statistically live longer than men.
Caregiving doesn’t cause the depression, but the caregiver often sacrifices their own physical & emotional needs. The experiences of a caretaker can strain the most capable person, causing feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness, isolation, exhaustion and/or guilt for having these feelings can leave its toll. To often, signs are seen as weakness instead of s sign that something is out of balance. The following symptoms should not be experienced for more than 2 consecutive weeks without consulting a family doctor.
1. Changes in eating habits--resulting in weight gain or loss.
2. Changes in sleep patterns--to much or to little.
3. Feeling tired--all the time.
4. Loss of interest in people or activities--that once brought pleasure or joy.
5. Becoming easily agitated or angered.
6. Feelings that nothing you do is good enough.
7. Thoughts of death/suicide or attempting suicide.
8. Ongoing physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment such as headaches, digestive disorders, or chronic pain.
Early attention to symptoms may help prevent the development of serious illnesses. Temporary treatments are available, consult your physician. ##