65 years or older. As the elderly population increases, more people will be working as caregivers for family members. A caregiver is someone who provides basic care to an individual who has a chronic medical condition. Caregivers often feel overwhelmed and stressed because the person they are caring for may not know who the caregiver is anymore, may have behavior problems, and may be too ill to talk or follow simple plans. In addition, the caregiver may not receive thanks from the person they are caring for, adding to the feelings of stress and frustration.
Common signs of caregiver stress include:
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Caring for the Caregiver
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 03, 2002
Contact:
Janelle Davis
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237 Ext. 5222
jdavis@aafp.org
- feeling sad or moody;
- having a low energy level;
- having trouble sleeping or not wanting to get out of bed in the morning;
- losing interest in hobbies;
- having trouble eating;
- feeling angry at the person he/she is caring for; and
- crying often.
A caregiver should speak with their family physician about their feelings if they are experiencing any of these symptoms. A family physician can educate the caregiver about the medical condition the person they are caring for is facing. He or she can also educate the caregiver on coping strategies and offer community resources to help them cope with the feelings of stress.
Being a caregiver is difficult — most doctors think of caregivers as ”hidden patients.” If the caregiver doesn’t take care of him/herself and stay well, they won’t be able to help anyone else. Family physicians can help prepare caregivers to cope with the many phases of their challenging role.
Being a caregiver is difficult — most doctors think of caregivers as ”hidden patients.” If the caregiver doesn’t take care of him/herself and stay well, they won’t be able to help anyone else. Family physicians can help prepare caregivers to cope with the many phases of their challenging role.
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
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