Calming The Storm Of Caregiver Stress To Prevent Elder Abuse
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Caregiver stress refers to the emotional and physical strain experienced by individuals who provide care for family members and loved ones, often resulting in negative impacts on their physical and mental health.
According to the United Nations, the population of people aged 60 years are older is approaching one billion people, comprising around 13% of the global population. The world's rapidly aging population is projected to comprise one-quarter of its population by 2050 in nearly all regions except Africa. On top of these growing numbers is the predominant desire of elders to stay at home as they near the end of life, necessitating a demand for home-based care and caregivers.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that 77% of adults aged 50 and older prefer to age in place in the homes they love rather than move to an assisted living or nursing home. As a result, individuals in the family may step up to care for these older adults or hire in-home caregivers to allow them to stay home while still receiving the health care they need.
Due to the demand, low pay rates, and the potential stress of caregiving, caregivers may be at an increased risk of burnout, also called compassion fatigue. This symptom may put seniors at risk of maltreatment by their caregivers. Understanding the different types of elder abuse may help you recognize when it is occurring and how to take steps to care for older adults in your family or community.
About caregiver stress
Caregiver stress can be a concern for family caregivers, who often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of providing care for their loved ones as they age. The continuous responsibility of tending to the needs of a family member, especially if they are elderly or have chronic health conditions, can lead to emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and depression.
However, there are resources available to alleviate caregiver stress, prevent burnout, and reduce the change of elderly abuse. Respite care services offer temporary relief by providing trained professionals to step in and assist with caregiving responsibilities, allowing caregivers to take much-needed breaks. Additionally, adult day programs offer a supportive environment for care recipients while giving caregivers time to attend to their own needs and obligations.
Support groups, both in-person and online, provide a valuable opportunity for family caregivers to connect with others who understand their challenges and spread coping strategies. By reaching these support groups and resources, family caregivers can better manage their stress and sustain their well-being while continuing to provide essential care for their loved ones.
What are the different types of elder abuse?
Elder abuse is physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, or sexual maltreatment of an elderly individual. It can also include financial abuse, exploitation, or neglect. Below are further definitions of these forms of abuse.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse can include hitting, kicking, shoving, punching, pinching, or otherwise causing physical pain to an older adult. Tying someone to a wheelchair or bed, locking them in a room for an extended period, or intentionally mismanaging medications is also considered physical abuse.
Verbal, psychological, or emotional abuse
Verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse includes yelling, threatening, taunting, name-calling, using profanity, and ridiculing or talking down to the senior. Intentionally ignoring this individual and trying to micromanage and control them can also be examples of abuse.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse means forcing sexual contact with another person, including rape. Sexual abuse can include forcing an elder to take their clothing off, watching pornography with them without their consent, or initiating unwanted sexual contact. In addition, some elders cannot consent to sex, such as those with impaired mental capacity.
If you are experiencing sexual abuse or have experienced assault, note that the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) has a hotline dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing sexual assault, harassment, or intimate partner violence. You can contact them anytime by calling 800-656-HOPE (4673) or using the online chat.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse occurs when caregivers steal an older adult's money, property, bank accounts, or charge cards without permission. Unethical caregivers who forge an elder's signature or overcharge for home repair or medical services are guilty of financial abuse. Elders can be vulnerable as their cognitive abilities decline. Seniors with deteriorating health might not know their caregivers are dishonest or changing their legal documents like wills and powers of attorney without their consent.
Signs of elder abuse
According to the National Council on Aging, elderly abuse statistics reveal that one in 14 elder abuse incidents are reported. Detection can be challenging because the effects of illness in the aging population may make it more difficult to know if changes are due to Alzheimer's, dementia, the effects of aging, or abuse. Below are the signs of different types of elder abuse.
Physical abuse
When tending to a senior's personal care needs, note any unusual or unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, or bleeding. You can also track any sprained or broken bones if you notice that injuries occur repeatedly. If the individual fears seeing a specific doctor or caregiver, it may be a sign of elder abuse and neglect.
Psychological abuse
Psychological abuse is a type of elder abuse and neglect that often goes unnoticed. Look for signs that the individual is scared or withdrawn. People who experience elder abuse and neglect may try to self-soothe by rocking back and forth, sucking on items, or mumbling to themselves. An elder who often seems depressed, confused, or anxious may have experienced a traumatic event like abuse.
Sexual abuse
Senior caregiving is often personal in nature. It can require trust between the elder and the caregiver, which develops over time. Because senior caregivers spend time alone with elders, there is a risk of sexual abuse. Those caring for elders can look for torn or bloody clothing, including underwear. Any bleeding from the anus, vagina, or penis that cannot be medically explained is a cause for concern.
Bruises on both sides of the body or around the breasts and genitals could also be signs of sexual abuse. If a senior has sudden itching or discharge, you might ask the elder's physician to test for sexually transmitted diseases, which could indicate the presence of elder abuse.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse may go undetected. A defense against financial abuse is accountability. Having more than one person manage and oversee expenses and allocations may safeguard the wealth and estates of aging seniors.
Aging in place and family caregiving
Staying in your home as you get older is called "aging in place." Some seniors want to live out their older years surrounded by their neighbors, friends, and communities, remaining as independent as possible for as long as possible. Cost can be another factor that solidifies a senior's choice to remain in their homes. Many seniors have little or no mortgage, so even when they need in-home healthcare assistance, their limited incomes make staying home more affordable than moving to a senior care facility.
However, staying home as a person ages comes with certain risks, including safety, ease of mobility, and accomplishing daily tasks. As an aging person's health declines, they may require additional help, such as a caregiver that can assist them either part-time or round the clock. While caregivers may provide excellent care for the people dependent upon them for services, some might choose to mistreat older people through abusive actions. Research has found that caregivers experiencing burnout may be more likely to abuse elders.
What are the caregiving stressors that lead to burnout?
In the 21st century, the number of aging people in need of care is increasing due to advances in healthcare and the generation known as "baby boomers" reaching retirement age. For some baby boomers, adult children may honor their wishes to let them age in place, taking on the role of caregiver. While caring for their elderly parents, they may also be working full-time, caring for their own families, and managing their own households.
Caregiver burnout can be common in those who routinely offer support to another person. It can be characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion that might lead to a loss of compassion and empathy. Burnout often occurs when caregiving falls on only one person, limited by financial or physical resources. Below are a few causes of this burnout.
A lack of self-care
A potential cause of burnout is when caregivers do not take the time to care for themselves, leading to exhaustion and poor mental health. Other factors that may cause burnout include:
A lack of control over resources
A lack of trained caregiving skills and coping strategies
Unrealistic expectations
Unreasonable demands
Additionally, a caregiver may not know they are experiencing burnout and might not recognize the benefit of an external support system like therapy or caregiver support.
A change in spousal duties
In some cases, a senior in need of care is cared for by their spouse. It might be assumed that a spousal caregiver poses less risk for harm than an adult child as a caregiver. However, this interpretation is often not true. After a spouse's medical crisis, the other spouse may be required to manage finances, the home, and work, often for the first time. Spouses may find that caring for their partner requires more hours than a full-time job, putting their safety and well-being at risk.
Past tumultuous relationships
Past relationships may also be a factor in connecting caregiver stress with maltreatment. Some adult children may cave to their parents' or siblings' unreasonable caregiving demands. Adult children who need to move in with aging parents to care for them may feel resentful or guilty if family relations were stressful or non-existent before formal caregiving began.
Spouses who were unhappy or harmed during the marriage may use the season of spousal caregiving as a time for vengeance toward a fragile, helpless spouse. These challenges, paired together, can lead to elder abuse. However, regardless of how a relationship may have been in the past, abuse of an elder is never okay.
Signs of caregiver burnout that may lead to elder abuse
When put in a position that can lead to a state of exhaustion, some people might feel more capable of inappropriate or harmful behavior. Senior caregiving is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining for some, especially when long-term. Senior caregivers report the following symptoms of eldercare burnout:
Depression
A negative attitude
A weakened immune system
A lack of enjoyment of previously enjoyed activities
Constant fatigue
Hopelessness
Isolation, including withdrawal from friends and society
Sleeplessness
Inconsistent eating habits
Anger toward the senior
Caregivers who feel burned out may unintentionally make poor decisions. For example, they may seek escapist behaviors, which can lead to substance use to cope with stress. Because of the demanding nature of senior caregiving, it can be crucial for senior caregivers to get support and practice regular self-care.
How to find support while aging in place
Home care technology may be a welcomed support resource in the senior caregiving space. Elders and caregivers often utilize helpful senior care devices and systems to reduce burnout. In addition to technology, support entities can accommodate both the caregiver and the elder receiving care.
Since some elders have difficulty with mobility and lack transportation options, online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp could be a beneficial solution to isolation, depression, anxiety, and other needs. Online counseling connects elders to a personal therapist who can offer them assistance in their homes, where they are comfortable and relaxed. In addition, scheduling may be more flexible, and the appointments may be more cost-effective, reducing barriers to care for older individuals.
A study published in the journal Aging and Society reported that older clients who receive online mental health therapy show the same improvement in well-being as younger people. The study consisted of 277 British patients over the age of 65 who were experiencing depression and anxiety. Over two and a half years, 65% of the older clients with anxiety and depression reported clinical improvement, with 49% experiencing symptom remission altogether.
Takeaway
The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations combined to establish World Elder Abuse Awareness Day yearly on June 15th. The purpose of this day is to promote a better understanding and awareness of the demographics that affect elder abuse and neglect.
Some people, including family caregivers, may experience the effects of elder abuse and neglect. Seniors and their caregivers can commemorate this day by giving themselves the gift of self-care. Consider reaching out to a counselor to further address caregiving burnout or challenges related to aging.
How do you deal with stress during caregiving?
Caregiver stress can be challenging to deal with, but it can strain even the most resilient people. Some strategies you can try to manage caregiver stress include:
- Asking for help.
- Focusing on the things you can do instead of the things you can’t.
- Setting attainable goals by breaking large tasks into smaller steps.
- Saying no to requests that take too much time and effort, like hosting holiday meals.
- Looking for local resources or a disability resource center in your area for support with things like meal delivery, rides, and house cleaning.
- Joining a support group.
- Staying connected with friends and family. Make time at least once a week to do something with someone, even if it’s just a quick walk or a cup of tea.
- Engaging in self-care by prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and exercising.
- Considering respite care or respite services if you need a break.
What is caretaker stress syndrome?
Caregiver stress syndrome or caregiver burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that may result when someone dedicates their time and energy to caring for someone else. People with caretaker stress syndrome may develop symptoms like physical and emotional exhaustion, withdrawal from family and loved ones, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns, and an inability to concentrate.
Can you have PTSD from being a caregiver?
Yes, one recent study found that primary caregivers of severely ill adult patients can develop a variety of adverse outcomes, including PTSD.
When should you stop being a caregiver?
It can be challenging to admit that it might be time to stop caregiving. Most people who agreed to be caregivers did so because they wanted to help, but some signs of caregiver stress can indicate that it may be time to stop caregiving. These symptoms of caregiver stress include the following:
- Snapping at the family member or person you are caring for
- Feeling pressured or tired all the time
- Being irritated constantly
- Losing sleep
- Crying or yelling frequently
- Withholding affection
- Blaming the person you’re caring for your situation
- Providing inadequate or neglectful care
What is the hardest responsibility of a caregiver?
It is unlikely that every caregiver would agree on what their hardest responsibility is. Everyone is different, and every situation is different. Making health and financial decisions for someone else and getting them to medical appointments can be challenging; generally, though, the hardest part about caregiving may be the personal sacrifice some caregivers have to make and the toll it can take on their mental and physical health. Joining support groups or talking to a therapist can help caregivers learn coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress or talk to someone who may understand what they’re going through.
How long does caregiver burnout last?
Burnout doesn’t go away overnight, but there is no set timetable for when it will resolve. Some people can take a few days or nights away and feel better. Others may need more time before they feel ready to devote themselves to caregiving again.
Why do caregivers get angry?
Every situation is different, but there are some factors that can contribute to caregiver burnout and anger. For example, caregivers who stop working and take advantage of the Family Medical Leave Act may get frustrated by the lack of control they have over their ability to manage their own time or effectively care for their loved ones. Caregivers may also be trying to juggle too many roles at once. They may also be unaware that they are burned out, which can cause health problems as well as affect the quality of care they can give.
What does caregiver burnout feel like?
Caregiver burnout can come with a range of emotions. Caregivers may start to feel like they will do something wrong that can harm the person they’re caring for or that the time and effort they’re putting into their care goes unnoticed and unappreciated. They may feel guilty when taking time for themselves or like a dark cloud is always following them. Caregiver burnout can also put people at high risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses.
How long does it take to get a caregiver burnout?
There is no timeframe for when family caregiver burnout occurs. Caregiver burnout happens when the stress of caring for someone becomes too much; how long that takes can depend on various factors, including how much help they have, how much care the person they are caring for needs, and how many resources they have.
How common is caregiver burnout?
Many statistics hint at how big a problem caregiver burnout is. According to the 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. report, four out of ten caregivers consider their situations highly stressful. About two-thirds of unpaid caregivers surveyed reported they had at least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom in the previous 30 days; 30.7% reported thinking seriously about suicide in the 30 days before completing the survey.
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