Everyone knows that caring for others is stressful. For most
people, caring for children immediately comes to mind, but the
term "caregiver" has come to more specifically mean someone who
cares for aging parents, spouses, friends, or adult children
with special needs. Caregiving involves not only the physical
and daily needs of persons who are ill or disabled, but also
finding resources to meet the needs of loved ones. What is
caregiver stress? Caregiver stress is the emotional strain of
caregiving that results from the unique pressures and demands
placed on caregivers. Changes in today’s world, especially the
proximity of extended family members, means that caregiving
needs are being met in changing ways. Caregiver stress is
different than childrearing demands in that caregivers’ tasks
usually increase over time as a loved one’s independent
functioning diminishes. What are the signs of caregiver stress?
- Feeling overwhelmed—general anxiety - Being easily irritated,
angered or saddened - Sleeping problems—sl