Little attention has been paid to the positive outcomes associated with caregiving. Thus caregiving, especially if it is difficult and burdensome, can place the caregivers and their families at risk. Negative effects can be reduced through social involvement and support, feelings of affection and responsibility for the care recipient, and emphasis on the positive aspects of caregiving. Whether caregivers are providing care out of love or out of a sense of obligation, caregiving almost always involves some personal sacrifice and stress. When challenges and demands are too great, they drain a caregiver's physical energy, time, health and money.
Caregivers can benefit from coping strategies suggested by research.
Experts agree on five basic strategies to help manage caregiving stress. The basic goals of caregiving are to assure quality of life, physical comfort and safety for the person being cared for. These goals can be accomplished in many ways. In setting goals, it's important to consider how caregiving is likely to affect the other areas of your life. As a caregiver, ask how your health, relationships with spouse and children, employment, and other demands and obligations would be affected by caregiving.