National studies on caregiver stress indicate that the number one pressing need of carepartners is to have access to effective, rapid stress reduction tools regardless of whether the source of the stress is economic, social, physical or emotional and regardless of the care recipient’s illness. Carepartners typically do not have time to attend local programs, so easy to use, in home, stress reduction techniques are in demand.STRESS REDUCTION:
Mind body techniques that lower tension in the body first then allow for mental relaxation to follow are highly adaptive because most people can respond to this approach quickly and it does not require a lot of practice or clearing of one’s mind as do many forms of meditational practice. Techniques like Relaxation and Guided Imagery (RGI) are especially useful because:
* they reduce stress in the body even with first practice
* utilize sensory images in a playful way to continue to help you cope, heal and renew energy
* sensory imaging in a relaxed state creates fast shifts in perception and behavior -
* this allows reactivity to lower and frustration and guilt can be let go of, too.
RGI is practiced by many nurses in the States because these gentle yet powerful techniques can be learned by almost anyone, are painless, non invasive, can be practiced almost anywhere (except driving) and tend to lower blood pressure, tension headaches, minor aches and pains and promote sleep.
With RGI, after an initial week of practice, the mind starts combing out sensory images associated with letting go of stress more and more on its own. It is not necessary to practice it all the time. It can be returned to when a refresher is needed. It can be learned in a group, one on one or over the phone with a GI practitioner or alone via a cd or MP3 download. Certified Guided Imagery (GI) practitioners can be found at Imagery International, an international, professional GI organzation.
Local RGI Resources: This Philadelphia MS Examiner is a certified GI practitioner with interventions to relieve carepartner stress and other helpful GI interventions for MS. To learn more about GI programs available in Philadelphia area, contact imagerywork.com or email a question to the Philadelphia MS Examiner page.
Additional Local Resources to Relieve MS Carepartner Stress: Other needs than stress reduction vary depending on the age of the carepartner and the care recipient, their life situations, the stage of the disease and whether cognitive or advanced physical impairments are present in the care recipient. In general, most MS carepartners indicate a need to obtain reliable, local resources to cope with relational or intimacy issues, financial resources, in home assistance or respite care for carepartners.
HELP IS AVAILABLE IN PHLADELPHIA AREA:
* The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national MS organization but its headquarters are located in Cherry Hill, NJ. At this site, a trained social worker serves as a MS lifecoach and can work with persons with MS and their carepartners to help relieve relational stress. To use this service, contact their main website (www.msassociation.org) and select the icon for life coach.
* The MSAA also has a wonderful, free, online video entitled: A Closer Look at Intimacy and MS which explores handling communication, expressing physical and emotional care, overcoming emotional challenges of caregiving, strategies to manage the physical challenges of MS and how to achieve and maintain intimacy amidst the changes that MS can bring.
* The Delaware Valley Chapter of the National MS Society offers funding for respite care as too often the carepartner lets go of caring for themselves. This chapter can provide financial assistance for respite care up to $1,000 for a facility stay or in-home services once a year. To apply or learn more contact: www.nationalmssociety.org
For more info on Carepartner Stress and National Resources, there are numerous national organizations available to provide general information and tips, such as: National Alliance for Caregivers, Family Caregiver Alliance, Lotsa of Helping Hands, Wellspouse Family Caregivers.
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