Caregiver stress occurs when caring for elderly family members living at home. As the elderly population increases, many will require at-home care from family caregivers. Caregiver stress can impact caregivers physically, socially, emotionally and psychologically over time. Early signs of caregiver stress include isolation, sleep deprivation, weight changes, depression and substance abuse. To manage stress, caregivers should seek social support, stay active, set personal goals and maintain contact with their doctor. There are also community resources like counseling and respite care that can help support caregivers.

1. Caregiver Stress- How does it impact the daily lives of the caregiver?
What are the early signs and ways to prevent it?
Donna Lagergren
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Lakehead University1
and Confederation College2
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As the elderly population increases, many
of these individuals will require care while
living in their home environment. “By 2036
the number of Canadians over the age of
65 will more than double, and that the most
rapid growth will be older than 75 years of
age.” (www.gnaontario.org)(2013).
Among the caregivers, majority of them are
the individual’s spouse, son, or daughter.
While providing care, many of these
individuals experience caregiver’s stress
which can greatly impact their daily lives.
Results
There are a variety of resources and supports available to the
caregiver who is suffering from caregiver stress, such as
counselling, support groups, and respite care . Examples of
organizations located locally are: Wesway, Thunder Bay
Counselling Centre, Catholic Family Development Centre, and
Alzheimer support group.
Conclusions
Introduction
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Barriers can affect the caregiver physically, socially, emotionally, and psychologically.,
and in result experience Caregiver’s Stress. “Caregiver’s stress can create physical
and psychological strain over extended periods of time, and is accompanied by high
levels of unpredictability and uncontrollability.” (Schulz et al)(2008).
Majority of caregivers are females who
have experienced higher levels of
caregivers strain. “It is estimated that 6 in
10 caregivers are women (57%), 7 out of
10 are women in their senior year of life
whom are 75 to 84 years of age.” (
www.longtermcarecanada.com)(2011).
Hospice care can be an option when the
caregiver feel they can no longer provide
care to their loved one who is terminally
ill. “Hospice Care is designed to support
families and caregivers, as well as
patients.” (Empeno et al)(2011).
Early signs of caregiver stress such as
isolation, deprived sleep, weight gain or
loss, depression, anxiety, and substance
abuse have all originated from
psychosocial stress and should not be
ignored. “Psychosocial stress is a
predictor of disease and lead to unhealthy
behaviors such as smoking, substance
abuse, overeating, and a sedentary
lifestyle; these, in turn can lead to
physical and psychiatric illness.” (Mckee)
(2011).
Coping strategies to assist the caregiver are keeping active, setting personal goals,
seeking social support, and staying in touch with your physician. “Caregivers need
to look after themselves first. Otherwise, the quality of care that they are capable of
giving, their relationship with their recipient, and their own quality of life can suffer
greatly.” (www.tbrhs.net (2011).
Acknowledgements / References
Empeno et al (2011) The Hospice Caregiver
Support Project:: Providing Support to Reduce
Caregiver Stress. Journal of Palliative Medicine
Volume 14.
Mckee, Michael (2011) Stress in medicine:
Strategies for caregivers, patients, clinicians.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Vol 78.
Schulz et al (2008) Physical and mental Effects of
Family Caregiving. National Institute Of Health
American Journal Nursing. University of
Pittsburgh.
www.gnaontario.org (2013) GNAO Newsletter
Winter Edition Vol Issue 3.
www.longtermcarecanada.com (2011) A Statistics
Canada Trend Report on care-giving experiences
by boomers and seniors.
www.tbrhsc.net (2011). What About Me? A
Resource for Caregivers of Stroke Survivors.
www.123rf.com/stock-
photo/cartoon_wheelchair.html