Caregiver Stress

When an aging loved one's health begins to fail, families are confronted by a variety of challenging decisions. Making care decisions for aging parents has been identified as a significant life stressor.

Caregiving is a stressful job even during the best of times. Don't be too hard on yourself if you blow up from time to time but do look for reasons why you are feeling angry or frustrated and learn how to offer a sincere apology.

Caregivers desperately need to decompress and lift their spirits. One way to go about reducing caregiver stress is to teach yourself how to laugh despite the everyday challenges of caring for an aging loved one.

Stress is normal for caregivers. But constant worrying, unrelenting doubts and pre-occupation with worst-case scenarios can be unproductive and even paralyzing. Recognize the triggers of anxiety, stop worrying and reduce stress in daily life.