Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Stress from caregiving is common. Women especially are at risk for the harmful health effects of caregiver stress. These health problems may include depression or anxiety. Taking care of yourself can help you to manage caregiver stress.

What Is Caregiver Stress?

Caregiver stress is due to the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. Caregivers report much higher levels of stress than people who are not caregivers. Many caregivers are providing help or are "on call" almost all day. Sometimes, this means there is little time for work or other family members or friends. Some caregivers may feel overwhelmed by the amount of care their aging, sick or disabled family member needs. 

Although caregiving can be very challenging, it also has its rewards. It feels good to be able to care for a loved one. Spending time together can give new meaning to your relationship. Remember that you need to take care of yourself to be able to care for your loved one.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Stress?

Caregiver stress can take many forms. For instance, you may feel frustrated and angry one minute and helpless the next. You may make mistakes when giving medicines. Or you may turn to unhealthy behaviors like smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Feeling alone, isolated, or deserted by others
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Gaining or losing a lot of weight
• Feeling tired most of the time
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Becoming easily irritated or angered
• Feeling worried or sad often
• Having headaches or body aches often

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ways to relieve stress. Also, let others give you a break. Reach out to family, friends, or a local resource.

How Does Caregiver Stress Affect My Health?

Some stress can be good for you, as it helps you cope and respond to a change or challenge. But long-term stress of any kind, including caregiver stress, can lead to serious health problems. Some of the ways stress affects caregivers include:

• Depression and anxiety. Women who are caregivers are more likely than men to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression.8 Anxiety and depression also raise your risk for other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
• Weak immune system. Stressed caregivers may have weaker immune systems than noncaregivers and spend more days sick with the cold or flu. A weak immune system can also make vaccines such as flu shots less effective. Also, it may take longer to recover from surgery.
• Obesity. Stress causes weight gain in more women than men. Obesity raises your risk for other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
• Higher risk for chronic diseases. High levels of stress, especially when combined with depression, can raise your risk for health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis. 
• Problems with short-term memory or paying attention. Caregivers of spouses with Alzheimer's disease are at higher risk for problems with short-term memory and focusing.

Caregivers also report symptoms of stress more often than people who are not caregivers.

What Can I Do to Prevent or Relieve Caregiver Stress?

Taking care of yourself helps relieve caregiver stress and prevent health problems. It also helps you take better care of your loved one and enjoy the rewards of caregiving. Here are some tips:

• Take time for yourself. Stay in touch with family and friends, and do things you enjoy with your loved ones.
• Take care of your health. Find time to be physically active on most days of the week, choose healthy foods, and get enough sleep.
• See your doctor for regular checkups. Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse you are a caregiver. Also, tell her about any symptoms of depression or sickness you may have.
• Ask for and accept help. Make a list of ways others can help you. Let helpers choose what they would like to do. For instance, someone might sit with the person you care for while you do an errand. Someone else might pick up groceries for you.
• Join a support group for caregivers. You can find a general caregiver support group or a group with caregivers who care for someone with the same illness or disability as your loved one. You can share stories, pick up caregiving tips, and get support from others who face the same challenges as you do.
• Find caregiving resources in your community to help you. Many communities have adult daycare services or respite services to give primary caregivers a break from their caregiving duties.
• Get organized. Make to-do lists, and set a daily routine.
• Learn ways to better help your loved one. Some hospitals offer classes that can teach you how to care for someone with an injury or illness. To find these classes, ask your doctor or call your employer-provided resource and referral service.

If you work outside the home and are feeling overwhelmed, ask your human resources office about your options. Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for relatives. 

What Caregiving Services Can I Find in My Community?

Caregiving services include:

• Meal delivery
• Home health care services, such as nursing or physical therapy
• Nonmedical home care services, such as housekeeping, cooking, or companionship
• Making changes to your home, such as installing ramps or modified bathtubs
• Legal and financial counseling
• Respite care, which is substitute caregiving (someone comes to your home, or you may take your loved one to an adult day care center or day hospital) Your loved one’s medical provider or your employer-provided resource and referral service can help you find caregiving services in your area.

How Can I Pay for Home Health Care and Other Caregiving Services?

Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies will cover some costs of home health care. Other costs you will have to pay for yourself.

• If the person who needs care has insurance, check with the person's insurance provider to find out what's included in the plan.
• If the person who needs care has Medicare, find out what home health services are covered.
• If the person who needs care has Medicaid, coverage of home health services vary between states. Check with your state's Medicaid program to learn what the benefits are.

If you or the person who needs caregiving also needs health insurance, learn about services covered under plans at HealthCare.gov.