Caregivers — whether for children, elderly parents, or those with illness or disability — face elevated risk for coronavirus disease 2019 due to the unique demands of their role.
Why Caregivers Are Vulnerable to Coronavirus Disease 2019
Caregiving creates coronavirus disease 2019 risk through:
- Chronic stress and unpredictability
- Identity loss as care demands consume personal time
- Grief over the changes in the person being cared for
- Social isolation and loss of peer relationships
- Physical exhaustion reducing resilience against coronavirus disease 2019
Signs of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Caregivers
Caregivers often ignore their own coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms to focus on the person they're caring for. Watch for exhaustion, cynicism, resentment, and withdrawal.
Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers with Coronavirus Disease 2019
'You can't pour from an empty cup.' Respite care, support groups for caregivers, and regular time for personal replenishment are not luxuries — they're necessities.
Getting Help for Coronavirus Disease 2019 as a Caregiver
Seeking support for coronavirus disease 2019 while caregiving is not abandonment — it makes you a more effective and sustainable caregiver.