APPS informs, supports, and empowers Alberta pituitary patients, caregivers, and health-care professionals to help patients live fulfilling lives. |
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What is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is a family member or guardian who provides care for a person who is ill.
Pituitary disorders can dramatically affect the caregiver’s life. Caregivers can be thrust into a role they are not prepared for, as the patient experiences emotional, social, physical, and financial impacts from their disorder. As a caregiver, you were probably dealing with some of these things long before a diagnosis was made. Adapting to your new reality may not be easy, but you are not alone. The Alberta Pituitary Patient Society supports caregivers of those with a pituitary disorder. You need as much information and support as the patient needs.
Caregivers experience both positives and negatives in their roles
On the plus side:
- 77 percent of respondents rate their relationship with the person they assist as high
- 70 percent rate their own physical health as high
- 69 percent rate their relationships with their friends as high
- 67 percent rate their happiness as high
On the down side:
- More than half of caregivers rate their satisfaction with their weight as low
- 43 percent rated their social life low
- One-third rate their satisfaction with their relationship with their siblings low
- 32 percent rate their level of happiness low
There are real risks to your mental and physical health. As caregivers, we need to be informed. We also have to focus on ourselves. We need to be healthy and happy ourselves to be able to provide the best care to our loved ones.
Caregiving Strategies
- Take care of yourself.
- Ask questions. There is no such things as a dumb question.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Remember that your family is a resource.
- Focus on what you are able to provide.
- Set realistic goals.
- Seek social support.
- See your doctor.
Watch for these signs. If any of these signs are present, please contact your doctor.
- Feeling overwhelmed or constantly worried.
- Feeling tired most of the time.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
- Gaining or losing a lot of weight.
- Becoming easily irritated or angry.
- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy.
- Feeling sad.
- Having frequent headaches, bodily pain, or other physical problems.
- Abusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medication.
Click here for additional information provided courtesy of AARP
Join Us as a Caregiver Member
Caregivers provide the support that is so critical to the lives of pituitary patients. The APPS can help caregivers do that. Caregivers also need support themselves.
As a member of the APPS, you can choose to
- be involved in any way that meets your circumstances, interests, and needs
- connect with resources to support yourself and the pituitary patient
- add your voice to that of other caregivers by participating in important issues and related research
- receive alerts about pituitary related events
- participate in pituitary patient events
- connect with other caregivers