Although the term ‘caregiver’ includes a wide variety of roles, it is usually associated with caregiving for individuals with dementia. In Canada, the proportion of caregivers involved in dementia care is steadily increasing. Caregiving is challenging by nature, but caregiving for an individual with dementia can be more so – people with dementia require long care hours and a unique form of help. It’s not surprising, then, to learn that this type of caregiving is associated with greater levels of burnout compared to other forms. Signs of burnout include anxiety and depression, mood changes, physical pain, and changes in sleep. Not only does burnout affect the caregiver, it can also affect their ability to provide care. They may find themselves feeling irrationally upset with the person they are caring for. However, there is good news: support can make things easier for caregivers. Receiving assistance with care for their loved ones, tools to help with the emotional toll of caregiving, and peer support are all ways to alleviate the stress that can be associated with this difficult but rewarding role. To learn more about caregiver burnout and ways to get support, take a look at this article: https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/features/caring-for-the-caregiver-how-to-prevent-burnout. 
Who cares for the caregiver?
|
