Caregiving can cause emotional, physical stress

For the 563,000 unpaid caregivers across New York state, the stress of caring for someone with dementia through the winter holidays may be over, but another type of stress has just begun, that of getting back into a normal routine.

Caregiving often means assisting with one or more activities of daily living including bathing and dressing, as well as multiple important activities of daily living such as paying bills, shopping and using transportation. Caregivers also provide emotional support to people with Alzheimer’s disease as well as communicating and coordinating care with other family members and health care providers, ensuring safety at home and elsewhere and managing health conditions.

A 2022 report from the Alzheimer’s Association found that 83% of the care provided to older adults in the United States comes from family members, friends or other unpaid caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers (48%) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias.

Caregivers are at risk for depression and can develop other stress-related health conditions. The Alzheimer’s Association also found that 17% of caregivers were in poor physical health, while more than 52% had chronic health conditions. More than 28% suffered from depression.

"Caring for someone with dementia can bring so much joy to both the caregiver and their loved one, but it also comes with stress," said Teresa Galbier, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter. "It is important to remember to take care of yourself so that you can better take care of your loved one. The Alzheimer's Association offers a number of resources, including support groups, to help with caregiver stress."

If a caregiver experiences one or more of the following symptoms, they may be experiencing caregiver stress:

• They regularly feel like they have to do it all themselves and that they should be doing more;
• They withdraw from family, friends and activities that they used to enjoy;
• They worry about the safety of the person they care for;
• They regularly feel anxious about money and healthcare-related decisions;
• They deny the impact of the disease and its effects on their family;
• They feel grief or sadness that their relationship with the person isn’t what it used to be;
• They feel frustrated or angry when the person continually repeats things and doesn’t seem to listen; and
• They experience health problems that take a physical or mental toll.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than half (53%) of caregivers indicate that a decline in their health compromises their ability to provide care. And caregivers and their families often experience economic decline through lost wages and an increase in medical expenses.

The CDC also found that caring for an older adult can be associated with elevated levels of depression and anxiety, higher use of psychoactive medications, worse self-reported physical health, compromised immune function and increase risk of early death.

In 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic, the American Psychological Association found that two-thirds of unpaid caregivers for older adults reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom in the 30 days prior to taking a June survey, while roughly one-third of unpaid caregivers reported mental or behavioral health problems such as anxiety, depression or substance use in the 30 days prior to the survey.

Identifying this stress is the first important step so that caregivers can work toward managing their own health by consulting their doctor and taking advantage of Alzheimer’s Association resources. Resources include confidential information and support, in-depth care consultations, caregiver support groups, education programs specifically for caregivers, helpful online tools and referrals to local resources.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.