This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Original: 認知症の介護者のストレスケアと支援制度｜家族が無理しないための完全ガイド
Caring for a family member is a “heavy burden not only on the body but also on the mind”
Providing care for a family member with dementia requires time, physical strength, and energy.
In fact, many caregivers feel physically and mentally exhausted, and are at risk of ‘caregiving depression’ and burnout. In other words, if a family member’s health deteriorates, they may not be able to continue providing care.
Author: “If the caregiver is in good health, the person being cared for will also feel safe.”
What is nursing care stress? First, know the “reality”
Caregiving stress includes the following burdens:
🧠 Spiritual ストレス
- Anxiety about not being able to see the future
- Responding to repetition of the same actions/words
- Feelings of blaming yourself
🧍u200d♂️ Physical fatigue
- 24-hour stress
- Response to restroom and wandering during the night
- Physical assistance for mobility and fall prevention
💸 経済’s burden
- Cost of nursing care supplies
- Copayment for life support services
- Lower income due to balancing work and work
The accumulation of these burdens can lead to caregivers themselves becoming unwell and depressed.
The technical term is “caregiver depression” (depressive tendency in caregivers), and it is said that one in four caregivers experiences this.
Basic care to reduce nursing stress
Dementia care will not work just by “trying hard”.
Here we will introduce basic care to protect the mind and body of caregivers themselves.
① Take regular breaks (respite care)
Taking a break from nursing care is never an escape.
In order to protect the health of caregivers, the national government, local governments, and long-term care insurance systems provide several types of rest support.
✔ Day service/day care
This is a service in which daytime nursing care is left to the facility, allowing caregivers time to take a short break.
✔ Short stay
You can entrust nursing care for a certain period of time, which is useful as a “refreshment period”.
Author: “Rather than trying to work hard all by yourself, the key to continuing for a long time is to take a break from time to time.”
② Acquire nursing care skills
Anxiety and stress about nursing care can be exacerbated by lack of knowledge and experience.
Nursing care classes and seminars held by local governments and regional comprehensive support centers are often available for free or at low cost, and you can learn basic techniques and ways to deal with dementia.
Example:
- Safe transfer and standing assistance
- Coping with dementia behavior
- How to speak out
Author: “Just knowing what you don’t understand makes you feel a lot better.”
③ Have someone to talk to about your feelings
Caring for someone alone increases feelings of isolation and burden.
Communication with family, friends, and community supporters can help relieve stress.
- Chat with fellow caregivers
- Consultation at the Regional Comprehensive Support Center
- Counseling
Author: “Just telling someone that something like this happened today can make you feel lighter.”
Let’s reduce the burden by utilizing the public support system
For caregiver stress management, it is important to actively use public support systems.
✔ Family care leave/family care leave
仕事との兼ね合いで介護が必要な場合、介護休業制度が利用できます。
The law allows employees to take time off from work for a certain period of time to care for a family member, and it is possible to take time off in installments or take short time off as family care leave.
※条件や手続きは勤務先と労働基準法に基づきますが、活用できると大きな安心材料になります。
✔ Long-term care insurance service
Japan’s long-term care insurance system provides many services to assist with nursing care, such as visiting nursing care, home-visit nursing, day care, short stays, and lending of welfare equipment.
Many nursing care services require certification of need for long-term care, but this has the power to greatly reduce the burden on caregivers.
✔ Utilization of care managers (nursing care support specialists)
If you have long-term care insurance, a care manager will be able to create a home care plan for you.
As they adjust their support to match the caregiver’s worries and stress, they are also an important source of psychological support.
Author: “Rather than thinking on your own, you can often find the next step just by consulting with an expert.”
It’s important to have a habit of keeping your own time
When we are busy with caregiving, we tend to sacrifice our own time and hobbies.
However,clearly distinguishing between on and off is the key to continuing long-term care.
Example:
- Regular walks
- Eating out/cafe once a week
- Make time for hobbies
Author: “Nursing care is like a marathon. Taking breaks is not a weakness, but a key to longevity.”
If you feel the stress of caregiving is strong
If caregiver stress is left untreated
- Lack of sleep
- Feeling tired
- Anxiety/depression
may occur.
These conditions are called “caregiving depression,” and professional treatment and psychological support are recommended.
Finally | Caregivers themselves should be “protected”
Dementia care cannot be achieved only with the love of the family.
Caregivers themselves should be valued by relying on systems, services, and the help of colleagues and professionals.
Author
“If you don’t overdo it, it will lead to the happiness of the family caring for you🌱”
Summary | Stress care and support system for caregivers
- Nursing care imposes physical, mental, and financial burdens
- Reducing the burden through rest (respite care) and learning nursing skills
- Make the most of public support (nursing care leave/insurance services)
- Cooperate with care managers and community support
- Value your own time
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