Anxiety and stress affect tens of millions of Americans every day. In fact, compared to just a few decades ago, the rate of depression, anxiety, and stress among average Americans has increased dramatically. While there may be a number of reasons for this, the point is clear, even with advanced technology and the benefits it brings, people are still being overwhelmed.
In fact, many people are feeling more overwhelmed now than at any other time in modern history. For the family caregiver, anxiety can be debilitating. It can lead to a loss of concentration at work, difficulty holding onto a job, relationship difficulties, and health problems.
Did you know that stress is one of the top causes of health problems in America today?
Stress can cause a wide range of increased health risks, including hypertension, high blood pressure, heart attack, and even stroke. While financial stress is often the top stressor in life, there are plenty of others that affect us daily.
One of those happens to be when you’re a caregiver for an aging parent, spouse, sibling, friend, grandparent, or other loved one. When you are a family caregiver, you take on an incredibly important job.
It’s necessary that you understand it is a “job.” It’s not just something you can do whenever you have time, even though that might seem reasonable in the beginning or acceptable to the elderly person who requires assistance from you, but in time, if you don’t treat it like a job, not only is it going to negatively impact that person you’re helping, but you will also find anxiety and stress beginning to increase in your life.
What’s the solution?
The solution to anxiety that is caused by being a family caregiver is to look at home care options. When there’s a senior in your family, in your life who needs regular support — whether it’s daily, a few times a week, or even just once a week — an in-home care agency can help.
This does not mean an in-home care aide has to completely take over, but they can support the senior, giving you the time needed to focus on your own life, health, and mental wellness.
What happens if you don’t take care of yourself?
If you don’t set limits on your time, emotions, mental wellness, then you will eventually face increased health risks of your own. Let’s say you are about average with regard to the demographics of family caregivers. That means you are most likely female, taking care of an aging parent, and about 48 or 50 years of age.
At that age, you already face an increased risk of a wide range of health challenges, and with more and more stress being poured on top of you, that’s only increasing those risk factors.
If you face a health crisis, not only will you need care and support, but who’s going to take care of that senior you’ve been helping? Look at home care options for seniors, and the best comes through home care agencies. It can help you face and overcome the anxiety and stress you’re dealing with as a result of these responsibilities.
If you or a senior loved one needs home care in West Orange, NJ or surrounding areas, please call our friendly staff at 908-590-1759.
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