How the Pandemic is Affecting Caregivers

I have some heroes  in my life. Mark, Madelyn, Mackenzie, and Katelyn immediately come to mind. :) Since November is National Family Caregivers Month, I am going to focus on some of my greatest heroes: caregivers. 

I interviewed Dina, a caregiver to her mom, on my Coffee, Tea, and Music Therapy podcast. I also learned more about the added stressors of caregiving due to the pandemic from the article Report: How COVID-19 is Affecting Caregivers. Take a listen and then hug – WAIT – I mean elbow bump a caregiver you know and love today. :)

According to a report by Blue Cross Blue Shield, unpaid caregivers in the United States experience a “higher prevalence of health conditions that could lower their overall wellbeing.” Caregivers are feeling more stress from the added challenge of balancing work and family responsibilities. As you can imagine, this has an effect on their mental and physical health. Caregivers suffer from hypertension, obesity, tobacco use, major depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. The study shows that caregivers are experiencing these symptoms more strongly than the rest of the population. Results of the study also show that Black and Hispanic communities are experiencing the greatest health impact.

Who is a Caregiver?

In my line of work with hospice, I define a caregiver as one who cares for a parent, spouse, sibling, or anyone who is nearing the end of life. In the article I read, a caregiver is more diversely described as anyone who is caring for another person, so the definition widens to not only hospice caregiving, but parents caring for children as well. Parents of small children are trying to maintain a high quality level of work while also balancing the challenge of having small children at home due to the pandemic. It is a nearly impossible scenario, and the study shows that extended amount of stress ultimately impacts a person’s overall mental and physical health.

I doubt that any of these findings are a surprise to anyone reading, but it raises the question in me, “What can I do? I’m only one person in a world of millions of people struggling.” Instead of throwing my hands in the air and saying what I often feel, that “it’s hopeless,” I will keep moving forward, doing my best to impact my world and community surrounding me each day.

Not just caregivers, but most people are struggling with feeling isolated, lonely, and depressed. The article suggests that we find a well-developed support system. The challenge is that when a person is feeling lonely or isolated, the last thing (s)he wants [or is able] to do is take the initiative to reach out to another person or group of people. But it’s so important. Our mental health improves when we are surrounded by others who understand, who might be going through a similar situation and can provide empathy and support.

Caregiver Burnout

I read about seven signs of caregiver burnout. If you are a caregiver reading this, do any of the signs below sound familiar to you?

increased irritation, frustration, or anger over small things

Your gentle, unhurried approach to providing care is disappearing or gone.

You raise your voice at your loved one more often lately. Later, you feel upset and guilty.

You skip aspects of your loved one's care that are important Because they're just too difficult.

you're struggling with increased anxiety, depression, or insomnia.

Your own physical health is declining.

Your own family is experiencing dysfunction.

Do any of the above examples resonate with you? And that leads to another question: how do you cope with caregiver stress? Many caregivers in the study reported using alcohol (14%) and medication (18%), and half of the caregivers reported using food as a coping mechanism. One participant gives the example of having to get up at 3:00 am after having had three glasses of wine versus three bowls of ice cream. It’s much more difficult to get up at all hours of the night after overeating as opposed to drinking too much. I am not a caregiver, and I can even relate to the coping mechanism of overeating. The pandemic has changed my routine and schedule, and when I have extra time at home, I find myself snacking more and eating later at night. I could not imagine adding the stress of caregiving during the pandemic.

Caregiver Self-Care

Alexandra Drane, CEO of Archangels

We often hear about self-care, but how are we at implementing it in our own lives? Caregivers often have hectic and sleep-deprived schedules, so it is essential to find a balance in taking care of their own health needs. Alexandra Drane, Rebel Health and Archangels CEO, emphasizes the importance of caring for ourselves before we can take care of someone else. She recommends making use of resources like pharmacy delivery, respite services, and telehealth. She also shares a page with additional resources, particularly during this pandemic. If you are a caregiver, check it out.

Support a Caregiver

We can provide support for caregivers in our lives by saying and doing small things – a short phone call to check in, arranging a DoorDash delivery, picking up groceries, etc. Instead of asking, “What can I do,” try offering something specific like “Can I stop by to mow your lawn this Saturday?” Offering practical help goes a long way, and it shows that you truly care.

I read helpful advice of what not to say and what to say to a caregiver in your life. Of all the things not to say, one of the examples on the list is “nothing.” That resonated with me – how many times have I had the best of intentions and in the end did nothing? Sadly, the answer is way too often. One caregiver wrote that she could handle whatever people said because she knew they cared, even if it might not have been the most helpful thing to say.

Regardless of how well you are doing at caregiving or at supporting a caregiver, today is a new day. Embrace what you can do now, and move forward, doing the best you can. Caregiving is challenging, and it becomes even more challenging during a pandemic, so give yourself grace and remember that you are appreciated and so needed!