Caregiver Distress or Caregiver Stress?
According to the (Office of The Seniors Advocate B.C., 2017), report that caregivers in distress are becoming a growing problem in B.C. and in other areas of Canada. The Office of The Seniors Advocate B.C. released a report on August 30, 2017 confirming that caregiver distress is rising in risk in B.C.. Home and community care supports are not able to keep up with the growing need due to the increasing population of seniors in our community. Often this leads to the increasing number of caregivers who find themselves in distress (Office Of The Seniors Advocate B.C.,2017).
This report, “Caregivers in Distress: A Growing Problem”, is an update of a report from 2015 that reported 29% of unpaid caregivers are noticing emotional signs of distress such as depression, anger, helplessness or feelings of being able to continue to caregive (Office Of The Seniors Advocate B.C.,2017).
Frequently you hear about Caregiver Stress and not as commonly do you hear about Caregiver Distress. So what’s the difference between the two. According to University of Washington Professor, Dr. Peter Vitaliano, we don’t describe caregiver stress adequately by describing the condition in this way. He suggests that a better way to describe it as the caregiver stressors that lead to the real problem of caregiver distress (Home Instead Senior Care, 2013).
When a caregiver feels stress, their stressors may include: too much work, too many demands on their time, not enough help caring for a loved one, feeling alone, a strain on finances, and loss of work. All of these can lead to caregiver distress and burnout. Additionally, we notice that these stressors can impact poor diet, inadequate exercise, poor sleep habits which can increase the risk many organic problems in long-term health ie. cognitive deficits, chronic disease;etc (Home Instead Senior Care, 2013).
Dr. P. Vitaliano’s research, (Home Instead Senior Care, 2013) indicates that caregiver distress can show up by increasing risks for the following:
- High blood pressure and Diabetes
- Increased risk of stroke and difficulty healing wounds
- Increased opportunity for infection and a Compromised immune system
- Anger and Depression/Anxiety, and Cognitive Problems
- Cardiac Problems (Heart Problems), and Ulcers
- Chronic Fatigue and Mental Fatigue
- Insomnia and Adrenal Fatigue
- Weight gain and loss
- Stomach problems
When a caregiver is in distress it can become so overwhelming, and burdensome that it may begin to spill over into other areas of their life, possibly causing job problems, increasing the use of substance abuse or increasing addictions, and inducing relationship strain (Home Instead Senior Care, 2013).
Available here is the caregiver_strain_index which can help you and your family caregivers figure out whether there are particular caregiver stressors causing some distress and expanding the potential risk for long-term health challenges (Home Instead Senior Care, 2013).
It’s highly recommended that anyone experiencing caregiver distress, seek the support of one of our qualified Registered Social Workers/Counsellors, or a Health Care Professional in their local community. If in question, please contact your family doctor for further information.
For further information regarding caregiving and to take online webinars Family Caregivers BC Webinars.
Office Of The Seniors Advocate (2017, August 30).Caregivers in Distress: A Growing Problem. Retrieved from https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/osa-reports/caregivers-in-distress-a-growing-problem-2/.
Home Instead Senior Care (2013). What is Caregiver Distress? [HandOut].
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