Being a Caregiver
A role many people share
Approximately 364,000 people in Canada (22 million people worldwide)
are thought to have dementia, of which 64% have Alzheimer
Disease (AD). This means that many other people are involved,
either directly or indirectly, in caregiving — providing practical,
physical, emotional, and possibly financial support.
Caregivers
are generally, in order of frequency, spouses, daughters, daughters-in-law,
sons, and siblings. In some instances, older grandchildren may
also become actively involved.
Caring for a loved one can be a very emotional experience. Sometimes caregivers can experience some feelings that may trouble them. These feelings are common among caregivers — but remember they don’t happen to everyone and may or may not happen to you. The following are among some of the emotions you may encounter:
- Resentment about demands - real and imagined
- Worry, especially about the financial impact of AD
- Frustration with healthcare providers
- Exhaustion from balancing caregiving with the competing demands of daily living
- Depression as life changes drastically
- Helplessness in the face of the reality and enormity of the impact of AD on your life
- Guilt over negative feelings about the person with AD
Sometimes people who care for someone with AD can feel the following:
- Relieved at finally having an explanation for odd behaviour
- Grieved at the gradual loss of a person you’ve known and loved
- Fearful about having to manage those affected but do not have AD
- Angry at the response of your siblings and extended family
- Concerned about your own risk of AD
- Discomfort with reversal of parent - child roles
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Anger — which you may or may not experience — is really quite common among caregivers and comes from the emotional stress of caring for another.
Sense of purpose
According to social research, it’s not unusual for people to experience a greater sense of purpose, meaning, commitment, and fulfillment as a result of caregiving. Caregivers also report feeling a deeper sense of connectedness that’s characteristic of spiritual growth, and in some instances, a renewed religious faith.
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