2. THIS POWER POINT WILL EXAMINE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL IMPACT BEING A
CAREGIVER HAS ON THE CARE-GIVER.
Psychological health of care-givers is negatively
affected:
Care-givers show higher levels of depression
Both care-givers depression and perceived
burden can increase depression and emotional
stress
Depression can worsen with sending patient to a
nursing home or institution
Have higher levels of anxiety disorders
Substance abuse and dependency
3. Care-givers have higher levels of stress and
frustration
Feelings of frustration, anger, guilt, helplessness and
anger
Emotionally drained and strains.
Chronic stress and decrease of cognitive skills due to
stress and fatigue
4. Care-givers have feeling of loss of self
Decreased levels of self-esteem
Constant worry and feelings of uncertainty
Lower levels of self acceptance
Loss of self-identity
5. Care-giving can have an impact on physical health
Physical health is reported to get worse with being a
caregiver
Report more chronic conditions then non-caregivers
Have more incidences of heartburn, headaches,
aches , pains and other physical ailments
Have higher levels of obesity
Physical stress is increased with care-givers of
patients who are unable to transfer themselves or
care for themselves.
6. Care-givers have lower levels of their own self
care
Less likely to seek medical help for their
aliments
More likely to smoke and drink and consume fat
and unhealthy eating habits
Poor eating habits for themselves.
Hardly any care-givers report exercising or
healthy habits when caring for patient
7. What is needed to help and assist care-givers?
Support services
Education and programs to assist in knowledge of
care-giving
Aide in reducing the burden of care-giving
Financial support to help those in economic stress
Primary care to address the care-givers needs
8. Future research needed in
Does sex, age and relationship to the patient affect
the ability of the caregiver to:
Cope
Negative or positive effects
What areas can assist the care-giver
Nursing intervention
Social worker and support groups
Psychological or physical evaluations
9. Do specific areas effect the care-givers
psychological and physical health
Ethnicity
Culture
Age
Social resources
Coping process
Beliefs and values
10. Due to the economy and the limited stay at
hospitals and the increased cost of home and
skilled nursing facilities, many families are providing
care of their family members for extended periods
of time.
These burdens can increase the stress and
physical demands on the caregivers, which, over
time, can cause mental and physical health
problems
Research needs to be done to determine who is at
risk and what resources or help can be provided to
decrease the negative impacts of being a caregiver.
