As discussed in the previous section, providing care for someone with dementia takes a tremendous toll on the physical and emotional health of the primary caregiver, yet many people don't recognise the warning signs, or deny its effects on their health. Many people tend to set their own needs aside while caring for the person with dementia and hope that if they don't think about it, the stress might just go away.
The changing needs of a person with dementia can take their toll on a carer and they may be at risk of what is called ‘carer stress’.
There are a number of things that you can look out for when working with the family or carers of a person with dementia that may indicate they are in danger of experiencing carer stress:
- Denial about the disease and its effect on the person who has been diagnosed. People might say that they know the person is going to get better or things like “he’s just old.”
- Anger at the person with dementia or frustration that he or she can’t do the things they used to be able to do. Things could be daily tasks or it could be things that they used to do together. They might say things like “He knows how to do that — he’s just being stubborn.”
- Self-isolation from friends and activities. As they are doing more and more for the person they are caring for, there is less time to do the things that they used to enjoy. People may also feel that they cannot leave the person alone.
- Anxiety about the future and the changing needs of the person with dementia. They may worry that as things change, they will not be able to cope.
- Exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. As the needs of the person with dementia increase, the person caring for them may be reluctant to admit that they cannot manage.
- Sleeplessness caused by a never-ending list of concerns. They may be worried that the person with dementia will fall or will become confused and injure themself.
- Irritability that leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and actions. In extreme examples the person my become angry and lash out verbally or physically through sheer frustration.
- Lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. They may miss appointments or forget things because they are so worried about the person they are caring for.
- Health problems. Caring can take a mental and physical toll on a person if it is not recognised when they need support
The following video was produced to tell the story of a volunteer program that is administered by Lifespan, an elder care organisation and support services agency, in Rochester, New York. The Partners in Caring Respite program provides trained volunteers to assist caregivers in need, who care for family members.
