COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Caregiver Mental Health The role of caregiving is an extremely challenging one. It's often a source of chronic and prolonged stress and caring for yourself may take a back seat. While caregiving is often reported as a rewarding and purposeful experience, it can also be very difficult. When you take care of you, it becomes easier to find the joys of caregiving. Mental Health Risk Factors Caregiving will look different in every situation. No two caregiving recipients are the same, and no two caregivers approach care in the same way. The list below includes risk factors that increase your risk of stress and depression, but is in no way 48 Answers Guide 24/25 exhaustive - you may be at high risk without them. You are at a higher risk for mental health illness as a caregiver if: n There is a chronic and progressive illness in a loved one under your care. n Your care recipient shows abnormal, erratic, or disruptive behavior. n Your care recipient has a cognitive impairment. n They are under your care for a long period of time. n The care recipient is your spouse. n Your care recipient shows functional and/or physical deficits. n You're caring for someone with a form of dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease). COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS A 501 (C)3 NONPROFIT CORPORATION. TO DISTRIBUTE ANSWERS FREE OF COST, WE MUST SELL ADVERTISING SPACE. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE PAID LISTINGS IN ANSWERS, THEIR INCLUSION DOES NOT IMPLY A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES BY COASC. ALWAYS BE A VIGILANT CONSUMER. VERIFY INFORMATION AND SEEK REFERENCES WHERE APPROPRIATE. CAREGIVING RESOURCES