A chronic condition is a problem that lasts for a long time or one that will never go away, such as
. With the growing aging population, many more people will be touched by chronic disease conditions. Many more will need assistance with routine aspects of everyday life.
The responsibilities of caregiving, added to the routine pressures of maintaining a family and professional life, can naturally lead to stress. Stress, in turn, creates a ripple effect on the health and well-being of not only the caregiver, but everyone from family members to friends and co-workers.
Living with a chronic illness—and caring for a person with a chronic illness—can lead to physical and emotional stress. The symptoms of this stress may look similar in both the person dealing with the condition and the caregiver. The symptoms include:
For the person with the chronic condition, the level and type of stress may vary depending on the specific illness and its prognosis. Common causes of physical and emotional stress include:
Changes in ability to work
Changes in personal and professional relationships
Physical changes and side effects
Management of symptoms and medications
Financial demands of healthcare needs
For caregivers who offer a wide range of help, stressors also depend on the intensity of their involvement and their relationship to the person in need. These stressors often include:
Extra demands on time and energy
Changes in family roles and responsibilities
Changes in time work and time to perform professional responsibilities
Pressure of trying to keep up with the caregiving and still having a life outside the home
In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, many caregivers say they experience stress and feel depressed. This leads some doctors to refer to caregivers as "hidden patients."
Because of the levels and types of stress involved, the impact of chronic illness can extend far beyond the sufferers and their caregivers. Nearly always, it affects the household of the person with the chronic condition. And as those household members are affected, the people who love, care for, and work with them can experience effects as well. A study of grown children with chronically ill parents revealed that even non-caregiver children showed an increased risk of depression.
In every chronic condition, strong support systems benefit everyone. A study of AIDS caregivers, for example, connected strong social support with better coping skills. Researchers are looking into the coping mechanisms that caregivers use and searching for better ways to support caregivers.
While the caregiver typically serves as a primary support system for the chronically ill person, friends and family members can also play important roles. This can be children taking on more responsibilities or friends ensuring that caregivers take time off to relax. These steps help lower the stress level.
Signs and Solutions
Because of the relentless demands associated with chronic illness, understanding positive methods of coping can greatly benefit everyone affected by the condition.
Helpful coping strategies include:
Take breaks.—Schedule quiet time, visit with friends who can offer positive reinforcement, or take regular days off from routine. Home health agencies may offer “respite care” or adult day care programs that can give you a break.
Take care.—Eat balanced meals, get an adequate amount of sleep, and check with a doctor about any continuing problems.
Understand your limits.—Find local resources that can offer physical, emotional, and psychological support to you as a caregiver. Realize that you cannot do everything for everyone. Find out if your state offers helpful programs.
Getting help.—Relieve feelings of isolation, anger, and frustration by seeking out the help of counselors or support groups.
Ask about palliative care.—These professionals are specially trained to help treat patients who are nearing the end of there life. This can be a very difficult time for all involved in a persons care. They not only treat the person dying of the illness, but they also can provide support for family members and help you find resources in your community.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care
provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to
starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a