Five Ways to Care for the Caregiver
As a Geriatric Care Manager, I am often involved in helping the caregiver as much as lending assistance and resources to the elder or other person with special needs. Sometimes it is as simple as helping a caregiver recognize in themselves the signs and symptoms of burnout as I discussed in my last blog posting.
Starting out with first things first: Who cares for the caregiver? There are external supports that can be as basic as just giving a break to what some have characterized as the “36 hour day” that many caregivers live. But the other side of this is to watch for your own symptoms as a caregiver and be as good for yourself as you are for your loved one who depends on you. Do you see the signs? Are you missing a lot of work? Are you not able to pay certain bills? Are you not exercising? Are you eating a lot of unhealthy foods? Are you having nightmares or disturbing dreams? Are you feeling lethargic or maybe even depressed? Are you angered by minor issues, or are you impatient with your loved one?
If you can answer any of these questions with a “yes,” you need to know that there are resources and support systems that can help. Family, friends, volunteers, and geriatric care managers are all helpful. Getting your own support doesn’t mean you are losing a battle, but it means you are getting through it.
To address or prevent burnout, here are five ways to care for the caregiver:
- Become educated about your loved one’s condition so that you are as effective as you can be.
- Recognize that you are only human; set some limits on what you and others can expect from you.
- Do not beat yourself up about feeling angry, afraid or even resentful; instead find ways to vent.
- Talk is important, especially to a therapist or counselor or clergy member or even trusted friends.
- As a caregiver, be smart about not hurting your back when lifting, pushing and pulling; keep yourself in shape and use an assistive waistband if your physician recommends it.
Finally, appreciate that caregiving is a job, and that all jobs allow one to punch out from work as well as take vacations and breaks. Give yourself permission to take a respite from caregiving. Many local hospitals or senior residential facilities have respite care programs open to the community at large. Most states have agencies on aging, such as the Illinois Agency on Aging. Also, check on line with the National Family Caregiver’s Association.montreal home care
