Population aging is a major challenge for modern societies (Dzau et Jenkins, 2019), resulting in the increase of caregivers. High levels of caregiver burden increases the risk of mental illness; some examples are anxiety and depression. As well as multiple physical illnesses can also become high risk. Caregivers may experience a decrease in physical health, immunity, self-efficacy, or feelings of frustration, resentment; and subjective well-being (Davis et al., 2021; Jacob et al., 2020; Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 1991; LaManna et al., 2020; McCarthy & Lyons, 2015; Pinquart & Sörensen, 2003; Schulz et al., 1997). While the burden can cause a negative impact on the caregiver themselves, it can also negatively impact the individual receiving care. (Isaac et al., 2011; Torti et al., 2004; Wolff et al., 2016).
Studies have shown caregivers are at increased risk of stress (Kim, 2017), sleep problems (Sacco et al., 2017), and unhealthy behaviour such as smoking (Salgado-García et al., 2015) and lack of physical activity (Fredman et al., 2006), and these may increase the risk for multiple chronic illnesses. “The caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s dementia have been shown to have reduced immune response to the flu vaccine and a greater risk of falling ill. They also have reduced wound healing” (Dr. Gabor Mate, 2013).
Compassion Fatigue
Compassion Fatigue has been described as the “cost of caring” for others in emotional and physical pain (Figley, 1982). It is characterized by deep physical and emotional exhaustion and a pronounced change in the helper’s ability to feel empathy for their patients, their loved ones and their co-workers (Mathieu, 2007).
Compassion Fatigue attacks the very core of what brought us to care for others; our empathy and compassion. Almost everyone who cares about the individual receiving care may eventually develop a certain amount of Compassion Fatigue, to varying degrees of severity (Mathieu, 2007).
These will include some of the following:
- Exhaustion
- Reduced ability to feel sympathy and empathy
- Anger and irritability
- Increased use of alcohol and drugs
- Dread of working with certain clients/patients
- Diminished sense of enjoyment of career
- Disruption to world view, Heightened anxiety or irrational fears
- Intrusive imagery or dissociation
- Hypersensitivity or Insensitivity to emotional material
- Difficulty separating work life from personal life
- Absenteeism – missing work, taking many sick days
- Impaired ability to make decisions and care for clients/patients
- Problems with intimacy and in personal relationships
(Mathieu, 2007)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.