Relief for Caretakers: Reducing Risk of Caregiver Stress

loved onesCaregivers provide such valuable services yet are often taken for granted for the daily responsibilities that they consistently provide for those who need them.

Here are some of the tasks that are typical of a day:

  • Food preparation and meal planning
  • Housekeeping and laundry services
  • Transportation to activities and appointments
  • Assistance with feeding and eating
  • Assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting
  • Help with mobility and exercise
  • Administering medications and/ or nursing services
  • Assistance with technology and finances
  • Coordinating care with medical and mental health providers
  • Researching information and advocating for the needs of the care recipient

Caregivers may include parents and primary caregivers of children or older adults. Caregivers work with those who are unable to fully care for themselves due to age-related vulnerabilities, cognitive limitations, medical needs, or severe and persistent mental health conditions.

A person who provides unpaid services to care for family, friends, or loved ones with their daily living and medical needs is considered an informal caregiver, whereas formal caregivers are often employed in settings such as long-term care daycare and residential treatment facilities. Other common professional settings include early childhood centers, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare services.

Certain populations face increased stressors related to caregiving. For example, Hispanic (21%) and African American (20.3%) individuals were reported to have the highest rates of caretaking, with both groups also reporting higher burnout rates in comparison to Asian-American and White caretakers. African American caretakers were more likely to be caring for both younger and older persons at the same time “sandwiched in the middle” while also balancing other responsibilities such as working full time. If you are interested in learning more about statistics related to caregiving, here is some great information: https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiver-statistics-demographics/

We all need a break at times, especially for those balancing multiple roles and lacking time for self-care. Caregiving is hard work, and the day-to-day responsibilities can feel overwhelming.

It is important to be aware of the following signs of caregiver stress:

  • Denial
  • Anger
  • Social withdrawal
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Exhaustion (emotional and physical)
  • Sleeplessness
  • Irritability
  • Lack of concentration
  • Health problems

There are resources and strategies to help reduce caregiving stress. It is important to be proactive with reaching out for support to help manage stressors before they accumulate to where you feel too paralyzed to reach out.

Participate in respite care. https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/

Join a support group. Support groups can help clarify your roles and expectations as a caregiver, provide emotional support, and assist with connecting to resources,

Here are several local support group options:

Wilder’s Caregiver Support Groups: https://www.wilder.org/what-we-offer/healthy-aging-caregiving-services/support-groups-caregivers

Lutheran Social Service’s Caregiver Support and Respite: https://www.lssmn.org/services/older-adults/caregiver-support-respite

Family Means Support Group for Caregivers: https://www.familymeans.org/caregiver-support-groups.html

NAMI MN Support Groups: https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/

 

Caregiver Resources:

Minnesota Senior Linkage Line:  800-333-2433, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. https://www.minnesotahelp.info/

AARP: https://states.aarp.org/minnesota/caregiver-resources

Talk to a Therapist. At CARE Counseling, we are here to help and have same-week appointments available: https://care-clinics.com/

A therapist can help process thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to caretaking, including supporting mental health such as anxiety and burnout. Specific things your therapist may help with could include identifying areas that are within and outside your control and support with managing expectations and being realistic about responsibilities in addition to treatment for how stress impacts your mental health.

Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC

SCHEDULE
MEET CLINICIANS
NEW TO THERAPY?
RESOURCES
Increasing Your Vitality Through Nature and Psychology

Increasing Your Vitality Through Nature and Psychology

A common concern for many individuals at this time of year is having difficulties with finding energy and motivation to act.

Learn and Practice DBT Skills to Help You Cope This Holiday Season

Did you know that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has some excellent, easy to remember skills that can be used on the go to cope during the holidays?

How can Therapy Help When I am Feeling Overwhelmed with the Holidays?

The holidays can bring a wide spectrum of emotions—from excitement, joy, and anticipation to anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, depression, loneliness, or despair.

5 Reasons Why Affirmations Are Not Working for You

Affirmations are powerful. Positive statements about yourself impact your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. They help provide motivation for personal goals and can help improve overall well-being.

Building Youth Confidence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with this year's theme focused on Heal, Hold & Center.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with this year's theme focused on Heal, Hold & Center.
Suicide Awareness

The Impact of Suicide. Your Words Matter.

Suicide is more common than we’d want to admit. Suffering is part of the human experience, and there are a lot of heavy stressors that weigh people down.

Supporting Teacher’s Well-being

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

6 Things to Consider in Supporting Children’s Adjustment to Change

Change can be difficult, especially for children when their need for safety and stability is uncertain. Establishing consistent and predictable routines helps children feel secure.

Because, College is Hard!

The transition to college can be exciting, but also difficult. You may be leaving the comforts of home and sharing space with others for the first time while managing stressors associated with college life.
Inc.5000 Award

INC 5000 Award

CARE Counseling makes the Inc. 5000 list for fastest growing private companies for three years in a row!

MSP Magazine News Feature

CARE Counseling was featured in an article on “Mental Health: Hurdles to Help,” by Lindsey Scharold with Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.

Life Satisfaction: 7 Things to Nurture Emotional Well-Being

“The best predictor for adult life satisfaction is subjective well-being and emotional health during childhood” according to the World Happiness Report. Less than half (47%) of Americans report being “very satisfied” with their own lives.

CARE Counseling Announces New Doctoral Internship

CARE Counseling is thrilled to begin offering a Doctoral Internship for Counseling and Clinical Psychology doctoral students enrolled in accredited graduate programs!

Bracing Yourself for Change: Flexible Vs. Blinded Optimism

Change is stressful, and there will be going to be challenges and these will be temporary; however, this is also an opportunity to utilize your strengths and access the internal and external resources that are available.

Suicide Prevention for Co-Workers: 5 Action Steps

The death of a co-worker can come as an unexpected shock, especially when they have died by suicide. If you are aware that a colleague is struggling, you can make a significant impact in helping them get the care they need.

Clinicians Info

clinicians-info

Customized Meditations for You

What comes to mind when you hear the word meditation? Stereotypes hold some people back from mindfulness practice. That is unfortunate. It is important to dispel the myths and understand the things people get wrong about mindfulness.

Going from Good to Great When You Are Not OK

How often do you get asked, “How are you?” and the polite go-to response is “I’m fine” or “good” thank you. How are you? These phrases are common greetings in the United States but seem to lack much depth.

The Client-Therapist Relationship: Transactional or Relational?

There is a transactional element that is present in receiving therapeutic services; however, a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to the success of therapy.
Summer health tips- blue sky with hands in yoga pose

6 Summer Health Tips to Feel Amazing This Summer

Making lifestyle changes has a significant impact on mental health and well-being. When you take care of your body and engage in safe and enjoyable activities, it has a direct impact on how you think and feel about yourself.

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Meditation helps one become more present, utilizing the practice of being mindful. Perhaps you already have a basic understanding of meditation

Emotional Intelligence for Families

Self-awareness is a key skill of emotional intelligence. One way to build self-awareness early within a child’s life is to build their feelings vocabulary.

CARE COUNSELING IS A 2024 TOP WORKPLACE

CARE Counseling has been recognized in the Star Tribune's Top Workplaces for the third year in a row!  In 2024, CARE was named on the National Standard Setters list.