Challenges in Managing Dementia Patients' Care
Family dementia caregiving can be a daunting task, especially for those with no background in nursing. According to a study by the University of Basel, approximately 30 to 90 percent of persons with dementia suffer from behavioral disorders, making caregiving a complex and personalised endeavour.
As dementia progresses, the tasks involved in caregiving become increasingly difficult. Dementia-affected seniors require more care compared to healthy seniors in their 80s and 90s. Caregivers often face a myriad of challenges, from managing the care recipient's temperamental and disoriented behaviour to dealing with their own physical and emotional exhaustion.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reported in a 2020 survey that 23 percent of caregivers find it difficult to take care of their own health. This is a significant concern, as caregiver burnout is a common issue in dementia care. The emotional strain, persistent stress, and lack of respite can lead to burnout, characterised by feelings of exhaustion, frustration, and emotional depletion.
Symptoms of burnout can include impatience, irritability, feelings of underappreciation, reduced empathy, anger towards the care recipient, and physical exhaustion. The emotional burden can be so great that some caregivers dream of abandoning their role, increasing the risk of elder neglect or abuse.
Other challenges include witnessing distressing behaviours in care settings, feelings of isolation, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in social activities, and symptoms similar to depression such as hopelessness and withdrawal. The overlap of caregiving duties with personal health neglect (e.g., poor sleep, skipped meals) further compounds burnout.
The work-life balance of a caregiver can be severely impacted, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Making friends can be challenging due to limited time and availability. The burden of family obligations can force a caregiver to turn down promotions or change careers to a less demanding job.
Despite these challenges, proper guidance from the nurse in charge, support from family members, and camaraderie of friends can help a caregiver manage both caregiving and non-caregiving-related duties effectively. In the initial stages of dementia, routine tasks such as cleaning, bathing, and meal preparation may seem manageable. However, as the disease progresses, a lot of trial and error is often needed to find effective solutions for the problems faced by a person with dementia.
In summary, the reasons for family dementia caregiver burnout include continuous high stress, lack of breaks, emotional strain from challenging behaviours and dependence, physical exhaustion, social isolation, and neglect of self-care. These factors combine to create a state of exhaustion, frustration, and emotional depletion unique to dementia care. It is crucial for caregivers to prioritise their own health and wellbeing to avoid burnout and provide the best possible care for their loved ones.
[1] Family caregiver burnout: A systematic review of the literature. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5785238/ [2] Caregiver Burnout: A Review and Update. (2010). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231206/ [3] Caregiver burden among family caregivers of persons with dementia: A systematic review. (2013). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3735440/ [4] Depression and anxiety among family caregivers of persons with dementia: A systematic review. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206702/ [5] The Prevalence and Impact of Caregiver Burden and Depression on Family Caregivers of Persons With Dementia. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4564427/
- To mitigate the complexities and stresses associated with dementia caregiving, integrating science-based workplace wellness programs that emphasize health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and mental health could provide valuable support for caregivers, potentially reducing the risk of burnout.
- In light of the challenges faced by dementia caregivers, incorporating knowledge from studies on caregiver burnout, such as those discussed in [1], [2], [3], [4], and [5], into science-driven health-and-wellness initiatives could be instrumental in addressing the unique needs of these caregivers and enhancing their personal well-being.
- As the demand for dementia caregiving continues to rise, it is essential that workplaces prioritize mental health and wellness, offering specialized resources and support tailored to caregivers to ensure they can effectively deal with the emotional and physical strains of their caregiving work and maintain their overall well-being.
