If you’re a family caregiver of your older parent or loved one, you know how stressful your NJ elder care “job” can be. Take a minute to answer these questions to see if you’re taking on TOO much stress:
- Do you sometimes feel angry while you’re caring for your loved one?
- Do you feel guilty your care isn’t good enough because you have too many other things to do?
- Do you feel your social life has been put on hold because you need to care for your parent?
- Do you feel exhausted at the end of the day?
- Are feeling overwhelmed?
- Have you lost or gained a lot of weight recently?
- Have you lost interest in things you once found enjoyable?
- Do you get angry or irritated easliy?
- Do you worry constantly?
- Do you often feel sad?
- Do you get headaches, body pains, or other physical ailments frequently?
- Are you abusing alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs)?
Score yourself. If you said “yes” to 0-3 answers, your stress level is LOW. If you had 4-7 “yes” answers, your stress level is MEDIUM. If you answered “yes” to 8-12 answers, you have a HIGH stress level.
Check back again for ways to reduce caregiver stress!
Photo: MorgueFile.com by Darnok
Tags: caregiver stress, family caregivers, Visiting Angels NJ
