Stress Reduction Tips for Caregivers

As your parents age, a whole new group of medical problems can come into fruition. Whether your parents are diagnosed with a disease or they have trouble moving around, you might have to take on the role of a caregiver. This role can lead you to experience a lot of stress. How can you reduce it?


Don't Deny Help

Chances are, people are going to offer to help you from time-to-time. Of course, you do not want to start taking advantage of them and expecting them to complete all of your duties, but nothing is wrong with saying yes once in awhile. Allowing your uncle to drive your mother to the store or letting your mother-in-law sit with your father to complete some puzzles is not going to hurt anyone. Doing so will also allow you to have a little bit of time to yourself.


Using The Necessary Tools and Assistance

If you try to accomplish everything without professional assistance, you are just asking for trouble. Speak with the doctors about a care plan that makes sense for your parents, and be sure to follow through with it. You should also ask about any tools, such as a bathtub seat or extra rails on the stairs, that could make your life easier. When you do not have a medical plan and a care plan, unexpected issues can certainly cause a lot of stress. While these issues will still arise, you will have a better scope through which to look at and solve them.


Take Care of Yourself

Yes, you probably want to put your parents first, and you feel that you do not have to allocate any time to yourself. However, if you fall ill or are not in good health, then you are not going to be able to take care of them. You still need to eat healthy foods, get a decent night's sleep and exercise when possible. Even though you are eating much more quickly these days, you can bring along plenty of healthy snacks. Prepare big salads that can be divided up and take them with you to your parents house.


The Overnight Situation

During the day, you might feel that you are able to handle everything without a ton of stress on your schedules. Still, you just do not know what to do about the night. You absolutely cannot act as a caregiver 24/7, or you are going to become run-down. Do your parents live with any of your other siblings? While the night caregivers do not always have to be awake throughout all the dark hours, they should be nearby and able to easily wake-up if an emergency happens. If your parents require constant care throughout the night, you should consider hiring an in-home service provider.


Have Some Fun

You might think that having fun is impossible at this point in your life, but it is healthy for both you and your parents. You do not have to go on some elaborate vacation. Instead, find things that they like to do at home. For example, if they always loved to play cards, why not bring out a deck? When they are having memory troubles and are not the same as they used to be, you can try some simpler games to help jog their minds and entertain them.


Get Outside

You absolutely must get outside. Otherwise, you are going to feel as though you are trapped in a tiny space without any escape. Go for a jog around the block, or you can sit outside on the front porch with your parents. Unless the doctor said not to do it, some fresh air is going to be good for you. Just remember that sunscreen!


Basically, being a caregiver for your parents can be a major challenge. Fortunately, these tips will teach you how to reduce the levels of stress you are feeling.

Parkinson's Disease and How It Can Affect You

Parkinson's Disease is an uncommon but well-known and progressive disease of the nervous system. About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease every year. Although the cause of this illness is not well understood, it is important to recognize the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, because treatment can greatly reduce clinical signs and improve quality of life.

Parkinson's Disease is caused by degeneration and loss of neurons (nerve cells) in the portion of the brain called the substantia nigra. These neurons are responsible for connecting portions of the brain together that control movement and for producing dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that allows the brain to signal the muscles and nerves of the body to control and coordinate movement. The result is that movements are jerky and uncoordinated. This is especially true for movements that require delicate fine motor control, like moving the hands and fingers to write. No symptoms are seen until the neurons that produce dopamine are 80% gone.

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are rarely seen in people under 60 years of age and usually start as tiny changes in the body's ability to move. Usually, symptoms start on one side of the body, and often, this side will always display worse symptoms than are seen on the body's other side. Often, signs start with a tremor in one hand, especially when the hand is at rest. An involuntary "pill-rolling" motion may be seen, where the forefinger and thumb continuously rub against one another. Also, Parkinson's Disease causes bradykinesia, or slowing of body movements. Walking may become more difficult, with slower and shorter steps, and motions like standing or sitting down may take longer and require more concentration. Speech may be quiet, slow, or slurred, and muscle rigidity, especially in the legs and back, can cause difficulty moving or pain.

While all the factors that lead to the development of Parkinson's Disease are not well understood, it is believed that heredity does play an important role. Several specific genes have been isolated that are associated with the development of Parkinson's Disease before the age of 60. In addition, nearly 20% of people diagnosed with the disease have a close relative who is also affected. Caucasians are more likely to be affected than blacks or Asians, and men are twice as likely as women to develop Parkinson's Disease. Not only are genetic causes implicated, but environmental factors also seem to affect a person's risk of developing Parkinson's Disease. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide, insect repellents like permethrins, and Agent Orange during military service all increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

While there is no cure for Parkinson's Disease and the disorder is progressive over time, it is not fatal and most people can lead normal or near-normal lives with appropriate medical treatment. It is important for people showing signs of Parkinson's Disease to seek diagnosis and treatment from a physician, because the symptoms can be very similar to those caused by other serious disorders such as benign essential tumors, strokes, and Huntington's Disease. Parkinson's Disease is diagnosed by excluding other neurologic diseases for which there are specific tests, and by documenting the typical symptoms of Parkinson's Disease in the patient (tremors, bradykinesia, and muscle rigidity).

Generally, patients are given dopamine to replace that which is not being produced by the degenerating neurons in the brain, and if their symptoms quickly improve, then Parkinson's Disease is very likely. In addition, imaging such as MRI and CT scans may be done to rule out stroke or other physical changes in the nervous system. Over time, medications may become less effective or may result in periods of time when movement is normal alternating with periods of time when the patient is immobile or has very jerky movements. This can usually be addressed with changing the kind or dose of medication prescribed.

Parkinson's Disease is a serious disorder, but one that can be managed with medication to produce a good quality of life. If you are experiencing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, see your physician right away to discuss your options.

Depression in the Elderly

Depression constitutes a major problem for elderly people. An estimated six million seniors over the age of 65 suffer from clinical depression. Unfortunately, only about 10 percent of older people suffering from this condition receive treatment.

One explanation for this surprising lack of treatment is because many elderly people do not want to reach out for help for fear of being labeled mentally ill. Some seniors do not realize they are depressed since the symptoms often mimic other problems. Another reason many older adults are not treated for depression is due to the fact that they are isolated and do not have anyone around that notices they might need some help for depression. Many physical ailments that can be associated with advancing years may also be symptoms of depression. Certain aches and pains are actually indicators that a person is depressed.

Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms of depression in the elderly are similar to those exhibited in younger sufferers, with a few exceptions. Symptoms tend to last longer in seniors and increase the risk for some serious health problems. A higher risk for cardiac disease is associated with depression in older people. Depression also negatively impacts an elderly person's ability to rehabilitate after an illness or medical issue.

Other symptoms are listed below:

1. sadness
2. weight loss
3. sleep problems
4. loss of appetite
5. fatique
6. suicidal thoughts
7. loss of self esteem
8. feelings of hopelessness
9. substance abuse

Causes of Depression

As people advance in years, life changes can cause depression. While becoming depressed should not be viewed as a normal condition to be endured as a person gets older, there are many reasons that contribute to that probability.

Below are causes that explain why many seniors experience depression:

1. failing health
2. loss of friends and family
3. fear of death
4. loneliness
5. substance abuse
6. body image changes
7. lack of purpose

Treatments of Depression

There is some good news related to depression. In 80 percent of cases, sufferers can be helped and recover. In spite of many of the worries of getting older, many older people admit that it is the happiest time of their life. Given that there is less responsibility and more time to get involved in activities of interest, busy seniors that stay active are less likely to become depressed.

The main treatments used to fight depression are psychotherapy, medicine and lifestyle changes. While antidepressants are often very successful in treating symptoms of depression, sometimes problems arise due to other medicines that can react with them. Possible serious side effects can sometimes warrant using a different treatment method.

Psychotherapy offers an excellent treatment for many seniors. Especially for people who are unable to take medicine, psychotherapy can be an excellent alternative. Sometimes having someone to talk to can make a significant difference for an older person feeling all alone in the world.

Similar to the lifestyle choices that are good for physical health, these same choices typically benefit a person's mental state of mind. First and foremost, it is important to stay as physically active as possible. A walk in the park or nearest shopping mall can brighten one's spirits. Combining physical activity with other social interactions with friends and family members to keep a busy schedule is also a recommended way to treat or prevent depression.

Summary

It is important for family members to reach out to older relatives. Frequent communication and including your older loved ones in family activities can make an enormous difference in another family member's life. It is especially important to spend extra time with a relative that is exhibiting any of the symptoms of depression mentioned above. Offering to help them get help when they need it can get a loved one back on the right track to a satisfying life.