Discuss the general strains of caregiving

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Caregiving also creates stress and strain. Older people usually need support at a time when their children's lives are complicated and demanding. Families are often unprepared for the problems involved in caring for an older person. Sandwiched caregivers frequently experience a lower quality of life because daily routines are disrupted and parent–adult child conflict may increase. Parents who are mentally impaired, can't perform basic daily self-care tasks, or engage in disruptive behavior are the most difficult to care for. The most common difficulties include always feeling rushed, social isolation, exhaustion, spending an average of more than 10 percent of one's annual income on caregiving expenses, and missing work, which, in turn, decreases pay, retirement savings, and Social Security income. Moreover, employed caregivers of older family members who are chronically ill experience increased physical and psychological problems such as high blood pressure, weight gain or loss, sleep problems, continuous anxiety, and depression.