Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Restricted Access Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Abstract
Caregivers of chronically ill patients are at risk of experiencing burnout and illness
brought on by stress related to the unique demands of their role. Stress, when left untreated, can lead to changes in the body that have an adverse impact on health. Caregivers often encounter many barriers to practicing self-care techniques that may help prevent or reduce decreased health. Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners in a Family Practice role can address these stress-related health conditions to provide timely and effective management of caregiver burden. The purpose of this scholarly project was to determine whether caregivers would benefit from receiving instruction and resources for practicing stress reduction techniques. A review of the literature revealed that mindfulness-based stress reduction, exercise, deep breathing, and massage were successful techniques utilized to treat stress in caregivers. A one-hour long class was developed to focus on education of the effects of stress, providing resources aimed at reducing stress, and improving self-care. The class had five participants, and a review of the results revealed that caregivers acknowledged the level of stress experienced, that the techniques learned were thought to be helpful to reduce stress and that practicing stress management techniques was feasible. Implications for future practice include combining the class with a previously established support group, partnering with colleagues, and utilization of appointment times to facilitate long term follow-up.
Identifier
SC 11.DNP.2019.Duane.LC
Recommended Citation
Duane, Leslie C., "Caregiver Burden: the use of Stress Reduction Techniques to Promote Self-care" (2019). Theses and Graduate Projects. 886.
https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/886