Caregiver role strain occurs when a caregiver becomes overwhelmed and unable to carry out their role to the best of their ability. It is characterized by stress and anxiety. Financial pressure is the most important factor that causes caregiver role strain. The financial burden of taking care of a loved one causes immense stress (Kaur et al., 2018). Caregivers face financial pressures since they have to financially provide for their loved ones, as most persons are economically unproductive. As a result, the caregiver has to cater for medical bills, transport costs, and patients’ basic needs, resulting in financial strain (Kaur et al., 2018). Besides, caregivers are forced to take a leave of absence or work shorter hours, reducing their income and worsening the financial burden.
Caregiver strain can be assessed using the caregiver strain assessment tool. Examples of the assessment tools include the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI). MCSI can be used to promptly screen for caregiver strain with long-term family caregivers (Kaur et al., 2018). It is a 13-item tool that assesses strain related to care provision. The tool has at least one item for each of the following major spheres: Physical, Financial, Employment, Social, and Time (Kaur et al., 2018). The tool is used to assess persons of any age who have assumed the role of caregiver for an older adult. A positive reply to any of the index’s 13 statements should set off a more focused assessment and implementation of strategies to address the cause of stress.
Caregiver role strain can be reduced or prevented through preventive education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and counseling. The strategies can enhance the caregiver’s quality of life and the care recipient’s (Borji et al., 2017). Preventive education can focus on stress-relieve techniques for the caregiver such as meditation, deep-breathing, physical exercises, and restorative Yoga.
References
Borji, M., Nourmohammadi, H., Otaghi, M., Salimi, A. H., & Tarjoman, A. (2017). Positive Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Depression, Anxiety and Stress of Family Caregivers of Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 18(12), 3207–3212. https://doi.org/10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.12.3207
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