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Family Health

Care for the Caregiver
By: Family Minute Staff
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Caring for an ill or aging loved one can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. It can also be extremely demanding on the caregiver. By its very nature, caregiving can often be a solitary activity, requiring a great deal of time, concentration and attention to detail.

To avoid burnout, caregivers should consider their own limitations and needs, in addition to those of the person they are serving.

Learn to recognize the signs of caregiver burnout, and know when to get help. Here are some tips and guidelines.

 Warning signs of caregiver burnout:

• Your life is centered around caregiving, with little time for anything else
• Your energy level is low and you often feel exhausted
• You have difficulty sleeping, or even relaxing
• Your family relationships become strained
• You feel distracted, irritable and impatient, even with the person you are caring for
• You feel sad, frustrated or resentful
• Your immune system seems weakened and you often suffer from colds or flu symptoms
• You neglect your own needs, or the needs of other family members
• You feel as though there aren't enough hours in a day
• You feel isolated and unappreciated, and you have increasingly less social contact
• You feel overwhelmed by your responsibility, and derive little or no satisfaction from caregiving
• You experience a sense of emptiness, helplessness or despair
• You have mood swings or crying spells

 How to get the help you need:

Don't try to go it alone. Regular breaks and assistance are a must for successful caregiving. Don't hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, church groups, community services, support groups, home health aides and respite care providers in your area.

Expand your circle of assistance options. Contact local senior services organizations, the gerontology department or social work unit at a nearby hospital, the Veterans administration, or other non-profit organizations that could provide information, advice and resources.

Consider adult day care if your loved one is well enough. You'll benefit from much-needed breaks, and your care recipient will have the opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery and some new activities.

Seek emotional support. Make time for yourself to talk with a trusted family member or friend, join a support group (either locally or online), or meet with a counselor or therapist. The emotional toll of constant caregiving can escalate quickly and reveal itself in a variety of expressions. Be aware of your thoughts and feelings. Don't hesitate to get help.

Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat regularly, and that your meals are healthy. Take some time to exercise, engage in a hobby, pray, listen to music, journal or have some time to yourself, even if it's just a few minutes, every day. Pamper yourself occasionally with a long, relaxing soak in the tub, a manicure, or a haircut.

Stay connected to others. Arrange to talk by phone each day to someone who is willing to call you and make sure everything is all right. Pick up the phone whenever you're feeling isolated and overwhelmed. When people volunteer to help, let them.

Understand your own limits. Many factors can affect your ability to care for someone else, from physical and emotional to cultural, geographical, medical and financial. Understand that there are certain things over which you may have no control. Be wise in making choices and decisions. If you're feeling overwhelmed, seek advice from a trusted family member, friend or professional counselor.

Don't wait to ask for help. It's a good idea to ask for help when you are tired and need to sleep, when you begin to feel angry or frustrated, when you are ill or need to care for your own health, when you are neglecting important family commitments, when others volunteer to help, when you need to spend time with your family and friends, or whenever you just need a break.

Compiled by Family Minute staff.