[1] This condition is not listed in the United States' Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, although the term is often used by many healthcare professionals in that country.
Those who are providing care for a friend or family member with a long-term illness undergo what is known as chronic stress.
It was found that caregivers to persons with Dementia particularly Frontal temporal patients were more depressed, and they showed lower life satisfaction than the comparison samples.
For example, caregivers of children with developmental disabilities have been found to have lower antibody responses to vaccination compared to age and gender matched non-caregiver controls.
[6] Further, a higher level of blood pressure has also been observed in those younger caregivers compared to a control group of parents and this particularly strong for those without social support.
Chronic stress can create medical problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, and a compromised immune system.
For example, elderly caregivers are at a 63 percent higher risk of mortality than non-caregivers who are in the same age group.
This role change is difficult for many people to make, causing them to experience anger, resentment, and guilt.
[15] Since caregiving can further erode the caregiver's own health,[16][17] many studies are being done to assess the risks that a caregiver poses when they assume this job and its effects on their immune functioning,[18][19] endocrine functioning,[20] risk for depression,[21] poor quality of sleep,[22] long-term changes in stress responses,[23] Cardiovascular diseases,[24] an increased risk of infectious disease, and even death.
[28] Generally, research suggests that this role can result in an overall decrease in the quality of life for individuals whom take it on.
"[35] Caregiver syndrome is caused by the overwhelming duty of caring for a disabled or chronically ill person.
Caregivers also suffer the grief of a declining loved one, as causing a depressive exhaustive state, deteriorating emotional and mental health.
"Double-duty caregivers" are those already working in the healthcare field who feel obligated to also care for their loved ones at home.
This over-exhaustion and constant caregiving role can cause an increase in physical and mental health deterioration.
[40][41][42][43] Caregiving for military service members who have experienced a traumatic brain injury or PTSD can be very challenging as well.
On April 21, 2010, the U.S. Congress passed what is known as the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010".
Although previous studies indicate a negative association between caregivers' anger and health, the potential mechanisms linking this relationship are not yet fully understood.
Alzheimer's disease is the most commonly diagnosed type but research says that caring for a person with Frontotemporal Dementia is more burdensome on carers.
Through training, caregivers can learn how to handle the behaviors that are challenging them, and improve their own communication skills.
[citation needed] This program was designed specifically for people who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia at home, and makes it possible for those with dementia to live in the own homes longer by addressing these problems of caregiver health that force the caregiver to move their loved ones to assisted-living facilities.
They receive help directly from dementia care specialists who work with the client on an individual basis to find solutions to problems such as: caregiver stress, challenging behaviors, home safety, depression, self care, and social support.
They declined less in tasks than the low-intensity caregivers and non-caregivers such as: walking pace, grip strength, and the speed with which they could rise from a chair.
These rewards are emotional, psychological, and spiritual such as: growing confidence in one's ability, feelings of personal satisfaction and increased family closeness.