Stress Reduction for Caregivers (PDF)

As the older populations grow, an increasing number of people are faced with the challenges of caring for frail, older family members. Since the causes of frailty, and especially the causes of cognitive impairment, in late life can last for several years, caregiving can often be experienced as a chronic stressor. Caregiving is often associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety, and with lowered subjective health in the care provider. With this in mind, Stress Reduction for Caregivers addresses the issue of how to help caregivers manage and reduce their stress level. The book is unique in that it bridges the gap between research and practice. It includes a discussion of the stress and coping theories of caregiving developed by researchers in recent years. It also lays out a simple, practical training approach that utilizes four stress reduction techniques to assist professionals in adapting the theories to their practice: Stress Level Monitoring; Relaxation Training; Scheduling Relaxing Events and Cognitive Restructuring. Each technique is accompanied by case studies that demonstrate both the effectiveness and the challenges of applying the overall approach. With its strong base in research and its practical concern for the management and reduction of caregiver stress, this book is a must for professionals who desire to stay abreast of the latest techniques. It will also be of great benefit to advanced students examining the issues of caregiving.