How can a caregiver cope with all this?

Caregivers work under continual and high levels of stress.

 

They have to deal with running a household as well as the demands of caring for a loved one with a mental illness.

 

What does this involve?

 

Well, let’s first look at household pressures:

 

 

– handling household budget (with soaring inflation)

– ensuring the house is clean and tidy

– lack of help from other adults with household tasks

– balancing work-home demands

– settling arguments and fights

 

 

Caregiver pressures

 

– dealing with disruptive behaviour

– ensuring medication taken in correct dose and at specified times

– handling personal hygiene issues

– demands of constant care

– feeling isolated and little time alone

 

With pressure like this in a household, how do caregivers cope?

 

What can they do to ease the burden of caring?

 

Let’s look at what caregivers can do.

 

 

 

– need to learn about the illness

– sharing experiences with others confidentially

– emotional involvement increases stress

– need outlet for pain, anger and sadness

– facing crises and uncertainty about problems

 

 

Caring for a loved one with a mental illness is very challenging.

 

Caregivers need various kinds of assistance, including practical support to deal with caring for the ill person and themselves.