Stresses on the baby boomer generation are numerous. While many boomers are still working and planning for retirement in an uncertain economic climate, they are also increasingly confronted with taking care of a parent, a spouse, or both. Combined with care taking roles, boomers or middle-aged adults may also be trying to manage their own health problems. Needless to say, the stress of all of this can be overwhelming.

Rates of depression are skyrocketing among baby boomers and middle-aged adults, and the latter group has the highest suicide rates in the country for the second year in a row. While suicide rates have historically been the highest in very elderly men, a 2010 New York Times article reports that rates of suicide in men and women ages 45-54 are higher than any other group. Equally as disquieting are increasing rates of illicit drug use and binge drinking among baby boomers. Though it is overly reductionistic to imply that rates of depression and suicide are solely related to caregiving responsibilities, the generation that has done it all may be crumbling from all of the pressure.

Clearly, some middle-aged adults and baby boomers are being asked to fulfill roles that are unduly taxing and the stress is taking its toll. In addition to depression and substance use, caretaking may result in physical problems for those caretakers who do not manage their stress.

The Importance of Self-Care for the Caretaker

Caretaking requires an innate ability to multitask, but even for those who are gifted at dividing their attention, things get overlooked. For many adults caring for parents and/or a spouse, it is their own bodies and minds that are overlooked. However, not taking care of oneself has a number of consequences. Rates of depression are higher in some caretakers and long-term depression can lead to health problems. But this information often does little to convince people who feel pulled in a dozen different directions. Rather, the most important thing for caretakers to know is that if you don’t take care of yourself, it is much harder to care for others. This is easier said than done. One of the main difficulties I see in caretakers is that they don’t know how, or don’t feel entitled to ask for help.

Asking for help is hard for a lot of complicated reasons. Sometimes, as caretakers, we have our egos invested in our ability to help others. Let’s face it, it can feel good to imagine that we are providing something that no one else can. Sometimes it is actually true. That said, we are all more effective at taking care of others when we put ourselves first. This means slowing down, taking some time for ourselves, and letting others know we can use some support.

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (May 2, 2011)

From Psych Central's website:
The Steep Costs of Caregiving | Aging Well (June 14, 2011)

    Last reviewed: 1 May 2011