(Newswire.net — May 27, 2018) — Taking care of the ill, disabled, or elderly people might seem like an easy task; but providing the needs of these people who can’t fully care for themselves can be stressful. Like the people they’re taking care of, caregivers deserve to rest.
According to Zarit in his study “Assessment of Family Caregivers: A Research Perspective”, 40% to 70% of family caregivers have symptoms of depression. About a quarter to half of them may have major depression. This fact alone gives us an idea that caregivers also needs to be taken care of.
Yes, attending the needs of someone is important, but so does taking care of your health. Let’s explore the impact of rest on the physical and mental health of quality caregivers in Arizona.
- Physical Health
Studies show that one in ten caregivers claim that the job has made their physical health worse. They suffer from headaches and body pains which have the tendency develop into serious conditions like heart attack, cancer, or diabetes.
Caregivers may also have an increased risk when it comes to heart disease. Spending eight or more hours a day caring for someone increases the risk of heart disease or high blood pressure. Furthermore, physical strain can affect the caregiver’s physical health. Imagine caring for someone who cannot do common daily activities by themselves. These activities may include walking, getting in or out of bed, or taking a bath – these are stressors which caregivers experience every day.
- Mental Health
Anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health problems are common among caregivers. Studies show that caregivers are most likely experiencing higher levels of mental health problems like depression.
The job can also be associated with anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and chronic diseases. Sixteen percent of caregivers feel emotionally stressed and twenty-six percent are saying how taking care of their clients is hard for them mentally. Due to emotional or mental stress, they often feel worried angry, guilty, or frustrated for thinking they are not providing enough care to their clients. It is a common knowledge that these particular types of mental health problems can often lead to suicide attempts, which is alarming.
Final Thoughts
Caregivers over the world have to handle with these physical and mental problems. They tend to put others first, and forget about themselves. However, they need to take breaks once in a while, too. This is done, so they can be reminded of their self-identity and the importance of their well-being.
Taking a break also helps in creating a healthy relationship for both the caregiver and the client. It is essential for caregivers to take their well-deserved rest because their current health may also affect the client’s health. If they feel exhausted or unhappy, the client may take these negative emotions as well.
The concern that most of us don’t realize is that caregivers care more about others than themselves when it should be the other way around. How can you take care of someone who is sick when you yourself is in poor health?