I am not sure how many times a month I have to caution my clients who have spouses with chronic illnesses about caregiver stress, but its not enough because invariable a few times a year I know someone who succumbs to it.
Usually it takes the form of a spouse who is loving and dedicated to their husband or wife, and insists on caring for them at home without break or interruption, and without any consideration of themselves and their own health. Sometimes this works out fine, while other times it ends up with the caregiver being injured or ill due to their role as caregiver.
In this latter case, both often end up in nursing facilities, one spouse because of their chronic illness, the other due to injuries from trying to do too much.
Often families believe that they cannot afford to have help in the home, or support services. Others don't want the bother of hiring someone to get a break. There is also fear of having a new person in the house, and of course trust issues come up, not only for a loved one's safety, but also trust concerns about privacy and personal property.
There are estimated to be over 50 million people care for chronically ill, disabled or
elderly members of the family each year, according to a survey by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. These caregivers are at a higher risk for depression, anxiety, and their own chronic conditions than non-caregivers.
The good news is that the risk of illness among caregivers has helped create a wide variety of
support services. Among these are programs that care for older adults
are respite services, home care services, and adult day care services which can give a much needed break to family caregivers.
My hope is to help clients balance their own drive for independence and the need for assistance, and determine how to obtain and pay for any services that might be required. The right balance will help maintain a safe home life, and hopefully avoid unnecessary illness or injury to anyone in the family.