Caring for the Caregiver Health Article

Caregivers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be adult children, spouses, siblings, friends or neighbors, who help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding and clothing. The caregiver may be the only person who can take a loved one to doctors' appointments. The long-distance caregiver may call weekly, help with expenses or support the main caregiver.

AARP says that about 65 million people give care each year. More than one relative helps out in some families, but most caregivers go it alone.

"Caregiving can be a truly rewarding experience," says Suzanne Mintz, co-founder and president of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA). It can be a time to heal old wounds, end conflicts and improve relationships. It can be a chance to serve a loved one.

But caregiving also can be demanding and time-consuming. It may even raise your risk of stress-related disorders.

"Many of us believe in honoring our parents and take our marriage vows seriously," Ms. Mintz says. "But the work of caregiving goes well beyond what we can do. Asking for help is a sign of your love and caring, not of weakness and shame. It is much more than a one-person job."

How to succeed

These tips are drawn from professional, government and charitable groups: the American Society on Aging, the federal Administration on Aging, the Family Caregiver Alliance, Children of Aging Parents and the NFCA.

Don't go it alone

• Ask others for help. Start with family and friends. Keep less engaged family members informed. Set up a family conference, seek suggestions and talk about disagreements.

• Ask families with similar problems how they handled them.

• Involve the person you're caring for. If possible, help the person take responsibility and join in decisions.

• Learn about your loved one's condition. Find specialists for information and guidance.

• Tap local, state and national resources. They can offer help with transportation, nutrition or day care.

Watch for problems

Mental and physical signs of caregiver stress:

• A lot of anger or fear

• A tendency to overreact

• Feeling depressed, isolated or overburdened

• Thoughts of guilt, shame or inadequacy

• Taking on more than you can handle

• Headaches

• Digestive upsets

• Weight loss or gain

• Trouble sleeping

• Fatigue

• Illness

Take time out

Be good to yourself. Take time away from caregiving and don't neglect your personal and professional needs:

• Get lots of rest and exercise.

• Enjoy relaxing music.

• Eat nutritious meals.

• Visit with friends, plan leisure activities.

• Do deep breathing.

• Read a magazine.

• Don't abuse alcohol or drugs, or overeat.

• Keep a sense of humor.

• Write your feelings in a journal.

• Do spiritual meditation.

• Set limits on what you can and cannot do.

• Realize you're doing the best you can.

• Join a support group.

• Use community resources for help.

Get help

It's OK not to have all the answers. Seek help when you need it most:

• Call a support hotline. Just having someone listen may help.

• Speak with a counselor. A professional can help you understand your situation.

• Talk with your religious adviser.

• Attend a support group. Groups can explain your loved one's condition, ease tension and provide a sense of what's important.

General assistance

• AARP: advocacy group with publications on aging, including recent legislation. www.aarp.org

• Administration on Aging: access to statistics, fact sheets and booklets. www.aoa.gov

• Children of Aging Parents: information on caregiving and referrals to support groups, care managers and other resources. www.CAPS4caregivers.org

• Eldercare Locator: a service of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging with local services, including home-delivered meals, transportation, legal assistance, housing options, recreation and social activities, adult day care, senior center programs and abuse prevention. www.eldercare.gov

• Family Caregiver Alliance: covers medical, social, public policy and caregiving issues linked to brain impairments. www.caregiver.org

• National Council on the Aging: information and advocacy. www.ncoa.org

• National Family Caregivers Association: dedicated to aiding caregivers through education, research and support. www.nfcacares.org

• National Institute on Aging: conducts and supports research, training and information on aging. www.nia.nih.gov

• Older Women's League: focuses on issues unique to women as they age and offers fact sheets on caregiving. www.owl-national.org

• Well Spouse Foundation: offers support to people caring for a sick spouse who need emotional care themselves. www.wellspouse.org

Specific ailments

• Alcoholics Anonymous: referral and treatment program with a 24-hour helpline. www.alcoholics-anonymous.org

• Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org

• American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org

• American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org

• National Parkinson Foundation: www.parkinson.org

• National Stroke Association: www.stroke.org