A son or daughter caring for an aging parent, a friend caring for another friend in need, a parent caring for a child who is ill, a paid caregiver — caregivers come in many different forms. All caregiver roles are equally important, and they may also be equally stressful. Caregivers provide care for someone with an injury, illness or disability. Care can range from helping around the house to making health and financial decisions on their loved one’s behalf.
What Is the Role of a Caregiver?
- Grocery shopping and cooking
- Housework, such as cleaning
- Financial tasks, such as paying bills
- Giving medicine
- Helping your loved one eat
- Helping your loved one bathe and dress
- Providing emotional support
Signs of Caregiver Burnout
- Isolation & Withdrawal
- Loss of Interest in Activities
- Feeling Overwhelmed & Hopeless
- Changes in Mood, Sleep and Eating patterns
If you notice these signs in your own life, it’s time to take action. Enlisting the help of a therapist is one option – that provides a safe, sympathetic and constructive environment where caregivers can express their wants and needs. Having a supportive community also helps. Making a connection, such as with friends, family, or support groups, where you can freely share your thoughts and feelings, can be exceptionally important. While there is not necessarily a right or wrong way to get the help you need, it is important to acknowledge when you do need help. Here are some other expert strategies to help you cope with caregiver burnout: Embrace gratitude. Make a daily gratitude list by writing down 10 things you’re grateful for. This could include anything from your family, legs to walk on or even a TV show you find entertaining. Focusing on what is good in your life as opposed to what is going wrong with your loved one’s health helps relieve stress. Read affirmations every morning. Starting your day with positivity kick starts your day on the right foot. Start the day with you. Having a morning routine with time to yourself (going to the gym, having your daily coffee while reading the newspaper or stretching for 10 minutes) is crucial to fending off mental stress and fatigue. Practice acceptance. Make a list of what you can control in the situation (getting enough sleep, eating well) and what you can’t control (your loved one’s health). Focus on what you can control to make changes where needed and try to accept the things that are out of your control. Paris notes that while the advice to “take a break” may sound cliché, it is repeated for a reason.
Self-care needs to be a top priority when caring for another person; otherwise neither the caregiver nor the one receiving care will thrive. This means finding a way to take short respite from caregiving on a consistent basis. Remember: The person you are caring for deserves the best version of yourself — well-rested, renewed and refreshed. They wouldn’t want you to ignore your own needs and end up physically or mentally exhausted. By noticing the signs of caregiver stress, you can stay happy and healthy while providing the care your loved one needs.
