People often feel good – proud, honored or happy – about being able to help older relatives or friends.
Helping older adults can also be stressful. Helping with personal needs might be uncomfortable. Some situations can be upsetting or overwhelming.
Common causes of stress for people who are helping older adults include:
Feeling unsure about what to do or how to do it
Worrying about what happens if the older adult’s situation worsens
Having less time for friends, family and favorite activities
Disrupting their and their family’s routines
Wanting to “just” be the older adult’s partner, child or friend
Spending more time or money to help than expected
Missing out on activities or opportunities
Feeling isolated and unsure of where to go for help
People who help older adults tend to be more stressed if they:
Live with the older adult
Didn’t have a choice about whether or how to help
Spend many hours helping
Worry about their own finances
Don’t have supportive family or friends