Caring for a loved one can put a lot of strain on you even if you are the most resilient person. If you’re a family caregiver, take out time to preserve your own health and well-being.

A family caregiver is anyone who helps or supports a member of his/her family in need of care. A person in need might be an ill spouse or partner, a child with a disability, or an aging parent or relative.

Most family caregivers experience high levels of stress than those people who are not caregivers. It is important for family caregivers to know that they too need support.

Family Caregiving is rewarding for those caring for a loved one. It can make your relationship stronger. But however, it comes with stress particularly when the caregiver lacks knowledge on how to go about day-to-day care routine which leads to a feeling of anger, frustration, worn out or being sad and alone. If not attended to It can put the family caregivers at risk of changes of life, health and even location.

Examples of Factors that can increase stress with a family caregiver include:

• Caring for a spouse.
• Living with the person who needs care.
• Caring for someone who needs constant attention
• Feeling helpless or depressed.
• Financial problem.
• Spending many hours caregiving.
• Having too little knowledge on how to care for your loved ones.
• Having no choice about being a caregiver.
• Not having good coping or problem-solving skills.
• Feeling the need to give care at all times.
• Not having professional advice.

SIGNS OF CAREGIVER STRESS
As a family caregiver, you may be so focused on your loved one that you don’t see how caregiving affects your own health and well-being. Here are signs of caregiver stress for you to take note:

• Feeling burdened or worrying always
• Feeling tired always.
• Sleeping too much or not enough.
• Gaining or losing weight.
• Becoming easily angry.
• Lack of interest in activities you are used to doing.
• Feeling sad.
• Having frequent headaches or other pain.
• Misusing medications
• Not attending your own medical appointments.

Too much stress over time can lead to health problems for you, such as heart disease and diabetes.

5 TIPS TO MANAGE FAMILY CAREGIVER STRESS
Your emotional and physical health matters as family caregivers so make sure to take care of you first. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to give quality care to anyone else.

1. Ask for and accept help:  Asking for help is very ok. Write a list of ways in which others can help you. Don’t work alone. Ideas like light home cleaning, cooking meals, going for doctor’s appointments, and taking your loved ones on a walk.
2. Set goals you can reach:  Break large tasks into smaller steps that you can do one at a time. Make lists of what’s most important. Follow a daily routine. Say no to requests that are draining, such as hosting guests or cooking for large families during occasions
3. Focus on the area you can handle:  Sometimes, you may feel like you’re not doing enough. But no one is perfect.  We are all a work in progress Believe that you’re doing the best you can.
4. Take care of your health:  Seek ways to sleep better. Move more on during the day. Eat healthy, and drink plenty of water. A good sleep is important for the health. If you are having trouble getting a good sleep, talk to your health care professional
5. Join a support group: Joining support group helps you feel better. People in the group know what you’re going through. They can cheer you on and help you solve problems. There also you will make new friends. Most importantly, connect with other family members

See your health care professional or Talk about your worries with a therapist.

To your well-being

Morayo Eboh
Founder, Rehoboth Centre for Elderly Care (RCEC)