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Caregiver self assessment —How are you?
Caregivers are often so concerned with caring for their relative’s needs that they lose sight of their own well being. Please take just a moment to answer the following questions. Once you have answered the questions, take part in the self evaluation at the end of the assessment.
During the past week or so, I have......
1. Had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing... Yes No
2. Felt that I couldn’t leave my relative alone................ Yes No
3. Had difficulty making decisions............................................ Yes No
4. Felt completely overwhelmed.............................................. Yes No
5. Felt useful and needed......................................................... Yes No
6. Felt lonely........................................................................... Yes No
7. Been upset that my relative has changed so much
from his/her former self............................................................ Yes No
8. Felt a loss of privacy and/or personal time................ Yes No
9. Been edgy or irritable.......... .............................................. Yes No
10. Had sleep disturbed because of caring for my relative........ Yes No
11. Had a crying spell(s)......................................................... Yes No
12. Felt strained between work and family responsibilities........ Yes No
13. Had back pain.................................................................. Yes No
14. Felt ill (headaches, stomach problems or common cold). Yes No
15. Been satisfied with the support my family has given me. Yes No
16. Found my relative’s living situation to be inconvenient
or a barrier to care.............................................................. Yes No
17. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1
being “not stressful” to 10 being “extremely stressful”
please rate your current level of stress. _______
18. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1
being “very healthy” to being 10 “very ill,”
rate your current health as compared to last year's. _______
Self evaluation:
To determine the score:
1. Reverse answers on questions 5 and 15. (For example, a “no” response should be counted as “yes” and a “yes” response should be counted as “no.”
2. Total the number of “yes” responses.
To interpret the score: Chances are that you are experiencing a high degree of distress: if you answered “yes” to either or both questions 4 and 11; or if your total “yes” score = 10 or more; or if your score on question 17 and/or 18 is 6 or higher.
Helpful caregiver tips:
• Take care of your own health. See your doctor regularly, eat healthy and try to find time for daily exercise. Taking care of yourself allows you to better care for your loved one.
• Let your loved one know you care. Talk with them, listen and ask for their advice. You can discuss your own concerns as well as theirs. Let them know you care by treating them with the kind of dignity and respect you prefer for yourself.
• Don’t try to do everything! Taking on everything is not good for you or your loved one. Allow your loved one to perform tasks he/she is capable of. This helps to reinforce their independence and dignity and lessens your responsibilities. Ask for help from relatives or friends.
• Accept your own limitations. As a caregiver, you have the right to say what you can and cannot do. Be clear on what you can do. This helps to relieve some frustration for both you and your loved one.
• Utilize outside services and resources. Contact the Information And Referral Department at Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. (499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242). Visit the Gallagher Alzheimer’s Resource Center at Elder Services, 66 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield.
• Creativity and laughter are your best friends! Break up the routine of daily care. Find activities that you as caregiver can take part in on your own, and also activities you can share with your loved one. Encourage friends and relatives to visit.
• Most of all take care of yourself, for you are as important as the person you are caring for!
This assessment was developed by the American Medical Association.