When taking care of you is priority, caregiving improves for your aging loved one living in Phoenix. When your senior is safe and comfortable, worry lessen.

Is it normal to have many different feelings about being a caretaker?

Caring for an elderly loved one who is seriously ill or growing frail is difficult. At times you may feel scared, angry, sad or lonely. You may also feel guilty. All of these feelings are normal, but you must learn to tell them apart from the signs of depression and stress-overload. Here are the signs you must pay close attention to (listed below). These signs are listed in the box below.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these signs.

Signs of Caregiver Stress-Overload

• Excessive anger towards the person you care for, your family or yourself
• Social withdrawal
• Anxiety
• Extreme tiredness
• Sleep problems (sleeping too much or not enough)
• Irritability
• Health problems (catching every “bug” that goes around)

Signs of Caregiver Depression

• No interest or pleasure in things you enjoy
• Feeling sad or numb
• Crying easily or for no reason
• Feeling slowed down or feeling restless and irritable
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Change in appetite; unintended change in weight
• Trouble recalling things, concentrating or making decisions
• Headaches, backaches or digestive problems
• Sleep problems (sleeping too much or not enough)
• Thoughts about death or suicide