Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Parents: Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Pare...

Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Parents: Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Pare...: "Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Pare: Time, Money and Distance: the Story of Boomers on ...: 'Call it being a caregiver, pare..."

Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Pare: Time, Money and Distance: the Story of Boomers on ...

Let's Talk! Topics to Discuss With Your Aging Pare: Time, Money and Distance: the Story of Boomers on ...: "Call it being a caregiver, parenting your parents, or just being 'on call.' A new Investors Group poll reveals that Canada's baby boomers ..."

The Emotions of Caregiving

Many emotional rewards are associated with caring for a loved one who needs assistance. Since concern for others is such a central characteristic of our human species, it's not surprising that we would feel positive emotions when serving as family caregiver for a sick or disabled parent, spouse or other person who is close to us. Indeed, recent research shows that the act of providing care can increase the supply of brain chemicals that promote a sense of well-being.

But caregiving also presents emotional challenges. The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) recently reported that almost 40% of family caregivers experience depression, anger, and a sense of helplessness. Many caregivers report experiencing feelings like this:

• A sense of isolation
  
• Worry or doubt about the quality of care they are providing
  
• Guilt that they are not doing enough
  
• Anger at the lack of time they have for themselves and families
  
• Frustration that this is not what they planned to be doing at this time of their lives
  
• Confusion about where to turn for help
  
• Grief and a sense of loss that the person they love has changed so much.

These emotions, along with physical fatigue and inadequate sleep, can lead to "caregiver burnout." It's important to be alert to the signs: feeling trapped, drained of time and energy, and a sense of being focused exclusively on caregiving. Stress arising from bottled up feelings of anger and frustration may even put caregivers at higher risk of depression, heart disease and memory problems.
It is so important to recognize and acknowledge the feelings you are having as a caregiver. Caregiving is a tough job! Experienced caregivers offer this advice:

• Share the care tasks and decision-making with other family members.
  
• Remember your own needs.
  
• Learn all you can about your loved one's condition.
  
• Talk to someone outside the family, such as a counselor or a support group.
  
• Learn what help is available, and be willing to accept help.

Many family caregivers—out of love or, sometimes, out of guilt—feel that they have to do it all alone. But think of it this way: taking care of yourself is an important part of providing care for the person who depends on you. Says CIHI's Nancy White, "While caring for a loved one can be fulfilling, it can also be quite challenging. It is important to identify caregivers who are at risk of burnout, which can result in the senior being institutionalized."