Psychological Challenges

Caregiving presents a myriad of psychological challenges for both the Caregiver and the person receiving care. Understanding that these challenges exist can help to a better understanding of how to deal with them. Some of the more common challenges are

Depression

Psychological Challenges

Depression among older adults is far more common than we freely admit. Some estimates place the condition in 8-20% of older adults nationwide. Here in Hawaii the estimates are lower – 4-8 % but for those residents in nursing homes the estimate jumps to 70%! It’s not hard to imagine why. They have lost much of their personal dignity to physical conditions they have little or control over. They are not able to make many personal decisions concerning schedules, activities or even what they will eat and drink. And on top of all that – they are living somewhere unfamiliar, among other people they usually do not know and sometimes with whom they cannot even communicate.

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