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Managing The Stress ~ Making The Decisions ~ Discovering The Meaning |
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Caregiving |
Solutions To Your Caregiving Situations Throughout Your Caregiving Years |
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Your Caregiving Depression What’s It About? You know you don't feel good-you find yourself in tears, you snap at your beloved dog, you turn down invitations to lunch or coffee. You know you're depressed. One way to help with your depression is to break it down so that it doesn't seem so overwhelming. What is the source of your depression? 1. Is it the relationship you have with your care recipient? Are you resentful that provide care to a parent or spouse who often abandoned (emotionally or physically) you? Are you anxious at the idea of life without your care recipient? 2. Is it the role of caregiver? Are there responsibilities and duties that you absolutely hate and dread? 3. Is it environment? Do you feel trapped in your mother's house? Do you feel isolated from the world in your house? 4. Is it lack of help? Do you feel there's too much to do, that you'll never get it all done? Once you've pinpointed those areas that cause the depression, work to develop simple solutions: 1. Check with your local Easter Seals organization and your local Area Agency on Aging about free counseling to help you sort out your issues with your care recipient. Your local Mental Health organization also can refer you to a counselor or therapist who can help. 2. Which organizations and companies provide assistance so that you don't always have to perform the tasks that are so distasteful to you? You can search for services your care recipient may be eligible to receive at this site: www.benefitscheckup.org. 3. Can you create a haven in your home (or your care recipient's home)—a place that is just yours, that is full of your likes and hobbies and is devoid of caregiving? A basement, an extra bedroom, a corner in the family member—any space will work. 4. What can you delegate? What can you let go? It's okay to let some things slide down the "To Do" list--you simply can't do it all. Nor should you. Worth Knowing: What can I do to help myself get better? --Try to participate in activities you used to enjoy --Spend time with other people; find someone you know and trust to talk with. --Set realistic goals; don't take on more than you can handle at one time. --Don't expect too much too soon. At first, improvements may be so gradual you won't notice it. Ask your family and friends if they notice any difference in your mood. Sometimes family members recognize improvement before the patient. --Try not to make important decisions while you are depressed. Depression can cloud your judgment. --If negative thoughts and feelings interfere with your life and relationships, remember they are part of your depressive illness and that things will start to look better when your treatment starts to work. --Depression in Older Adults, A Guide for Patients and Families, The Expert Consensus Guideline Series, Expert Knowledge Systems L.L.C. and Comprehensive NeuroScience, Inc. Depression: A Whole Body Disorder |
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