Caregiver stress and lack of sleep

Older adults who care for partners with dementia or Alzheimer's disease are at risk of burnout and stress. Families often focus so much attention on the person with dementia that they forget to notice that their spouses are having health problems of their own.

Caring for someone with dementia can be exhausting especially as the disease progresses. People living with dementia can exhibit behaviours that are difficult to manage. Behaviours such as wandering, incontinence or calling out often occur at night.

Chronic lack of sleep can overtime contribute to increased levels of stress, chronic disease and depression. Lack of sleep is also one of the main reasons why many carers consider nursing home care. 

If your parent is caring for a spouse with dementia and having trouble sleeping take time out to talk to them about their own health. Always encourage a parent to get regular medical check ups.

At some point a carer will not be able to provide all the care a loved one with dementia requires. Many spouses take on the responsibility of providing full time care for a loved one with dementia but when the disease progresses a carer may feel guilty about asking for help even if they are physically exhausted.

Carers may feel that they have failed in some way by accepting help or feel they are betraying a loved one if they send them to a nursing home.

You can help a parent care for a spouse with dementia by encouraging the use of regular respite care. Respite care gives carers a break from caring. Unfortunately many carers believe respite care is a last resort and wait until a crisis occurs before organising assistance.

Respite care can include day care, residential respite for a short period or care at home on a weekly basis.

To find out about respite care in your area call The Commonwealth Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222. For emergency respite care after hours call 1800 059 059. 

Organising regular time off to catch up on some valuable sleep may keep a loved one at home for longer. It can also work wonders for an exhausted carer.