Book: Coping and Self-Care

There may be a number of causes of carer stress, many of which are interlinked

Caring can become stressful if the caregiver has other significant responsibilities; such as a job, children to care for, some distance to travel to care for the person with dementia or when caregiving needs to be 24 hour care, as in Later Stage Dementia. 

Financial issues may cause carers stress. Please see Money Advice and Budgeting Service website for useful information.

Carers may not feel competent in the delivery of their ‘Care Skills’, or may not feel confidence in their Understanding of Dementia.

Changing relationships between the carer and the person with dementia may lead to carer stress

Over time the person with dementia will exhibit changes in cognitive abilities, behavioural and emotional changes and functional abilities. It may be stressful for the carer to see these changes in the person with dementia. The carer may feel emotions of Grief and Loss ? link to ASI Factsheet on Loss & Grief

The carer may experience a loss of identity. Over time the carer’s caregiving role may take over and activities outside of caregiving such as work, leisure and looking after themselves can be forgotten or demoted. Carers may feel a confusing sense of obligation to care, while at the same time feel resentful even angry that they don't have their own independence to live their own lives.

Family dynamics may lead to conflict and strain in family relationships and friendships, (Brodaty and Donkin, 2009).

The need to make decisions on behalf of the person being cared for may be stressful, especially in the case of end of life decisions. For example, decisions relating to the transition to and location of long term care as discussed earlier in Unit 4.