Caregiver Syndrome

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

"a debilitating condition brought on by unrelieved, constant caring for a person with a chronic illness or dementia. Dr. Jean Posner

What causes caregiver burnout?

Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a caregiver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue and hopelessness -- and, ultimately, burnout. Role confusion Unrealistic expectations

 Many exhausted, ill caregivers today don't seek help because they don't realize that they have a recognizable condition. Most common psychological symptoms depression, anxiety and anger

Family caregivers provide more than 80% of the long-term care for older adults in the US. 1. Just being a caregiver puts an individual at increased risk for higher levels of stress and depression and lower levels of subjective well-being and physical health 2. Female caregivers, on average, provide more direct care and report higher levels of burden and depression 3. Ethnic minority caregivers provide more care, use less formal services, and report worse physical health than White caregivers. 4. African American caregivers experience less stress and depression and get more rewards from caregiving than White caregivers. 5. Hispanic and Asian American caregivers exhibit more depression. 6. Less-educated caregivers report more depression. 7. Spouse caregivers report higher levels of depression than non-spouse caregivers. 8. Caregivers who have a poor-quality relationship with the care recipient report more strain. 9. Caregivers who lack preparedness for the caregiving role also increases strain. 10. Caregivers of care recipients who have dementia suffer from increased strain.

Symptoms
Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, despair Irritability, cynicism, short fuse Physical or emotional exhaustion. Crying Decreased libido (sex drive) or appetite Problems with sleep Increased use of pills or alcohol Social withdrawal Cognitive problems, such as memory, decision making, and problem solving, concentration. Headaches, stomach problems

Warning signs of caregiver burnout

You have much less energy than you used to It seems like you catch every cold or flu thats going around Youre constantly exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break You neglect your own needs, either because youre too busy or you dont care anymore Your life revolves around caregiving, but it gives you little satisfaction

 You have trouble relaxing, even when help is available Youre increasingly impatient and irritable with the person youre caring for You feel overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless

They are mostly also the signs of depression

How to Best Deal With Caregiver Syndrome

When caring for a sick loved one, remember that you must also care for yourself.
Learn as much as you can about the illness Know your limits Dont take it personally Accept your feelings Confide in others

Nursing-Care Strategies
A. Identify content and skills needed to increase preparedness for caregiving. B. Form a partnership with the caregiver prior to generating strategies to address issues and concerns. C. Identify the caregiving issues and concerns on which the caregiver wants to work and generate strategies D. Assist the caregiver in identifying strengths in the caregiving situation E. Assist the caregiver in finding and using resources. F. Help caregivers identify and manage their physical and emotional responses to caregiving. G. Use an interdisciplinary approach when working with family caregivers

Evaluation and Expected Outcomes

A. Outcomes specific to caregiving 1. Lower caregiver strain 2. Decreased depression 3. Improved physical health B. Outcomes specific to patient 1. Quality of family caregiving 2. Care-recipient functional status, nutrition, hygiene, and symptom management 3. Care-recipient emotional well-being 4. Decreased occurrence of adverse events such as increased frequency of emergent care

References
http://www.diamondgeriatrics.com/articlecaregiver-burnout.html http://www.sixwise.com/Newsletters/2008/A ugust/13/Caregiver-Syndrome-SupportYourself-Support-Others.htm http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/condition s/08/13/caregiver.syndrome/index.html http://consultgerirn.org/topics/family_caregiv ing/want_to_know_more