FRIDAY, Aug. 27, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Caregivers who provide help with such tasks as managing money and medication experience more stress than those who mostly assist with the physical needs of an aged or disabled relative, says a University of Arkansas (UA) study.
"It came as no surprise to us that caregivers are under stress. What we did find striking is that not all forms of caregiving cause the same amount of stress," researcher Barbara Shadden, co-director of the UA Office for Studies on Aging, said in a prepared statement.
"We believe the reason for this is because these responsibilities (managing money and medications) are related to the loved one's cognitive function. To watch someone, particularly a parent, lose cognitive abilities so that they cannot do the 'thinking' tasks that they used to, is very hard on the caregiver emotionally and often is actually more stressful than assisting with the more physically demanding tasks, such as bathing or cleaning," Shadden said.
The study found that women who were caregivers tended to assist more with the basic physical needs of an aged or disabled relative, while men were more likely to handle finances. But both women and men reported that it was harder to deal with a loved one's cognitive and emotional problems than it was to cope with their physical needs.
Many caregivers experience increased sadness, irritability, fatigue and guilt. If these feelings aren't addressed, they can lead to chronic depression.
Access to more information and education, professional resources, and the option of family leave time from work were among the solutions listed by caregivers to help them cope with their situations.
Many of these resources are already available, Shadden said. She recommended that caregivers contact their local Area Agency on Aging office (www.aaanwar.org) to get more information on support services for caregivers.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about caregiver stress.
