How To Manage Stressful Situations When A Loved One Is In End-Of-Life Care

If you ask a caregiver in Cedar Rapids and elsewhere if their job is rewarding, they’ll likely all say “yes, but…” Of course, it’s certainly noble and generous to want to help someone through a difficult time of their life, but there are also moments when it can be stressful and less fun, for those receiving end-of-life care and those providing care.

The team at Above and Beyond Home Health Care and Hospice understands these feelings. Our staff has seen it and even experienced stressful moments since we work with so many clients at different stages of their life – we see it as part of the job we’re hired to do. Plus, our training, education, and experience teach us ways to reduce stress and focus on better moments.

But we also work with clients who have family members or loved ones who are in basic caregiving roles and may not have the medical expertise as a trained home health employee. These caregivers can help with general care and support and things like meals and housekeeping but often rely on visiting nurses and aides to assist with some of the other needs.

We know any caregiving situation can be challenging for the client and the caregivers, especially at the end of life.

People don’t always like being taken care of – many people have been proud of their independence so they may find it hard to rely on someone else to help with tasks that used to be simple. They may be unhappy with where they are in life, and have uncertainty, even fear about what’s next. They could be sad about leaving people behind.

There might be pain as well from medical conditions which could add to the unhappiness. Their health condition also could limit some of the things that they used to like to do which could make them feel frustrated. Conditions like dementia can also add to some of the confusion and frustration.

Plus, caregivers and their clients simply might need a break from each other once in a while. While home health personnel may come for an appointment for a few hours a few days each week, some family caregivers are there all the time. So it’s natural for people to get tired of being around each other at times, even if they do generally enjoy each per

Defining stress

One of the biggest starting points is to realize that some stress is OK. There are ways to reduce or minimize it, but generally trying to eliminate it entirely can often cause more stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a big part of dealing with stress is simply knowing how to recognize it. Then you can take steps to better manage it.

The NIH promotes April as Stress Awareness Month and encourages people to learn more about the effects of stress on the mind and body, as well as how to cope with it and build resiliency. It also works closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which also has a similar stress reduction message.

There are certainly some grand ways to reduce stress – a tropical island with fruity drinks comes to mind — but there are also some more realistic options that are recommended for people who work or at least have a big list of responsibilities. Some of these are fairly simple, low-impact, and can be slipped into a daily routine and maybe involve the client since they also can benefit from stress relief options.

Some fairly easy options for stress relief options include:

• Whether it’s basic calisthenics, formal yoga, or something in between, the combination of physical and mental effort in different poses and motions can be relaxing and energizing at the same time. It doesn’t have to be too long of a session either, even 15 minutes can go a long way. There are a variety of online tutorials and some are low-cost or even free.
• Beyond stretching, there are opportunities to get out, get moving and get fresh air. Health experts recommend about 30 minutes of exercise a day for optimal health. This doesn’t have to be anything strenuous either: even a walk around a neighborhood or a nearby park can be helpful. Your client also might consider coming along as well, unless they want some time for themselves. Even if they’re in a wheelchair they may still enjoy new surroundings.
• Respite care. We’re happy to provide this service to our clients and their caregivers. The premise is simple: we’ll come over and stay with the client while the caregiver goes out and does whatever they want. It can be for a few hours or it could be for the whole day. It can be an opportunity for a caregiver to focus on fun things that don’t have anything to do with their “day job” or “night and day job.” Maybe they could have coffee or lunch, go shopping, get their nails done, or even go for a drive or longer walk. It also could be an easy opportunity to connect with family and friends.