Stress among caregivers of chronically ill older adults: implications for nursing practice.
Caregiving is a dynamic process involving a series of decisions at different stages of a person's chronic illness trajectory. Research suggests the burdens of caregiving can lead to caregiver stress, the actual or perceived physical or emotional strain experienced by the caregiver. Nurses have a pivotal role in assessing for caregiver stress and providing interventions to assist caregivers. This article defines caregiver stress, discusses the impact that caregiving has on a caregiver, provides assessment principles to identify caregiver stress, and includes evidence-based interventions that can be tailored to individual caregivers to encourage health-promoting behaviors.
Eye Health Vision Center, North Dartmouth. rebccan43@gmail.com
Rebecca A
RA
Newell
Suzanne M
SM
Allore
Ouida P
OP
Dowd
Susan
S
Netinho
Marilyn E
ME
Asselin
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004496:Education, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological