{"id":1760,"date":"2017-10-20T15:22:45","date_gmt":"2017-10-20T19:22:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/assistinghands.com\/6\/?p=1760"},"modified":"2017-11-03T11:03:40","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T15:03:40","slug":"defeating-caregiver-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/6\/newjersey\/centralnj\/blog\/defeating-caregiver-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Defeating Caregiver Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"

October is Depression Awareness Month. For last year\u2019s event, the Hand in Hand e-newsletter<\/a> took a look at ways to help older adults avoid depression, which can have a negative effect on their quality of life and even length of life.<\/p>\n

This year, in honor of both Depression Awareness Month and November\u2019s National Family Caregiver Month, we take a look at the common occurrence of depression among people who are providing care for an elderly or disabled loved one.<\/p>\n

\"\"Caregiving can be a full-time job and then some! Those who are providing care for an elderly loved one will no doubt be able to relate to this year\u2019s National Family Caregivers Month theme, \u201cCaregiving Around the Clock.\u201d<\/a> A recent study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that some family caregivers provide an average of 77 hours of care each month. Combine that with their paid work and other family responsibilities and you\u2019ve got a recipe for stress, depression and caregiver burnout.<\/p>\n

Contributing to the caregiver burden today is the fact that there are simply fewer caregiving family members to go around. The baby boomer generation had fewer children. Families are less likely to live in the same area. We\u2019re living longer, so more spouses are needing to care for a husband or wife. A higher divorce rate and remarriage might mean that one adult child is trying to juggle the care of their mother, father, stepmother, stepfather \u2026 with all living in different areas of the country.<\/p>\n

And then there\u2019s the tendency of caregivers to think they should be able to do it alone. Maybe that\u2019s a standard they are imposing on themselves \u2026 and it doesn\u2019t help if their loved one also reinforces that idea: \u201cI want to stay home, not move into assisted living.\u201d \u201cI don\u2019t want a stranger in my home.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d rather live with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Caregiver depression can sneak up on a person. Gradually, they realize that they\u2019ve lost their interest in things they used to enjoy. They have feelings of hopelessness alternating with anger and irritability. They have sleep problems. They eat too much\u2014or lose their appetite. They might have suicidal thoughts. Experts say that ongoing stress and depression can harm our health, raising the levels of the hormone cortisol in our body, which can damage our hearts, memory and digestion.<\/p>\n

If you or a caregiver you know is showing signs of caregiver depression, it\u2019s important to get help. Talk to your doctor about treatment, which might include lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, spending more time with others, improved nutrition, counseling, or in some cases, medications.<\/p>\n

But experts\u2014and seasoned caregivers\u2014can tell us that in the case of caregiver depression, the best cure, often as not, is to get some help! Have a family meeting and enlist others to share the load. When friends ask how they can help, have a list at hand. Find out about senior services in your area.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s a great \u201cprescription\u201d: include home care services in your eldercare plan.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A reputable home care agency can provide a caregiver to help with:<\/p>\n