Elder Care Guide and Information

Here are a few ideas for coping with caregiver anger:

Instant handling

1. Get away for a while. Simply walking into another room or around the block can calm you down.
2. Count to 10 before responding. It’s what our mother’s told us when we were kids. It still works. Give yourself time to regroup emotionally.
3. Take smooth, even, deep breaths. You’ll add much needed oxygen to your blood stream. Plus the act of controlling your own breathing gives you a sense of control over your situation. Breath in and out slowly for at least 5 full breaths.
4. Tell yourself you are in control. This simple, stabilizing action allows you to maintain better emotional balance when life around you seems out of control.

General tips

1. Be assertive but not angry when expressing your concerns and needs to others.
2. Write in a journal what events trigger you anger. See if there are recurring problems or issues you need to addressed.
3. Know your limits and those of your loved one and other caregivers. Setting unrealistic care giving expectations for yourself or others leads to unnecessary stress.
4. Maintain objectivity. Ask yourself if it’s really worth getting upset about. Can you find something humorous in the situation instead?

The key to controlling caregiver anger is so understand what causes it. Step one is recognizing that you are angry. Next, determine what part of the event caused you to flare up. Finally, decide what steps to take to eliminate the cause.

If you suffer from caregiver anger most of the time, it may be time for you to take a break from care giving or to find more help. To find local help, use the free services of The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Unites States Administration on Aging

Filed under: Elder Care, Family Conflict, Caregiver Stress Management