Providing care for a family member can be rewarding but it can also be very stressful for the caregiver. The relationship between caregiver and patient is a changing dynamic. In the case of an elderly parent, the child has now become the "parent". With ill spouses or children the emotional impact of taking care of a loved one puts additional responsibilities on the "well" partner.
Caregiver Burnout
Taking care of someone with an illness can cause the caregiver to feel stressed and burdened. This state is often referred to as caregiver burnout, and can lead to serious problems if not identified and alleviated. The following are warning signs that an individual is reaching a point of burnout:
- Lacks energy
- Gets sick frequently
- Constantly exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break
- Neglects own needs, through busyness or lack of interest
- Life feels dominated by the responsibility of caregiving
- Difficulty relaxing, even when help is available
- He or she acts impatient and irritable with the person being cared for
- Feels overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless
Resources for Caregivers
Whether caring for an elderly parent with Alzheimer’s, or a family member with a chronic illness, being a caregiver is stressful. Taking some time to find resources will lessen the burden for caregivers and their families.
- When caring for someone with a chronic illness, read materials about the illness. Learn about the symptoms, medications and other available treatments. Contact the appropriate organization (MS Society, Alzheimer Association, etc) for free materials.
- Is there a caregiver association or group in the community? If so, find out about their services. A caregivers support group is a good place to share tips and resources and receive emotional support.
- Respite services can give the caregiver an opportunity for time off. Check with assisted living facilities, as they occasionally have short term rooms and services available.
- If the patient requires constant care, find someone to come in and sit with the patient occasionally. Many people providing care for an elderly parent have full-time jobs and try to juggle their own families and jobs while tending to the sick family member. Ask the church if there is a group of volunteers, recruit other family members or close friends to assist. Check local resources for agencies providing skilled "helpers."
- Schedule a fun activity for a few hours. Take a walk, go to a movie, get a massage. Plan something outside of the normal routine. It need not be expensive or complicated. The goal is a change of scenery and an opportunity for relaxation.
- Enlist family support at home to take on chores that would normally be handled by the caregiver.
- Find a counselor or therapist. Therapy isn’t for everyone but can be very useful when coping with the emotional stress of caring for a loved one. There are counselors or therapists who specialize in working with chronic illnesses.
It's important for caregivers to allocate time in a way that allows for relaxing and taking care of themselves, this can help avoid caregiver burnout. Keeping a healthy attitude and minimizing stress make the job of caregiver more manageable .
Source:
HelpGuide.org. Preventing Caregiver Burnout (accessed March 26, 2010).
Walker Thornton - Professional freelance writer and blogger, Walker blogs at A Page of My Own and A Woman's Page, a blog focusing on women later in life. ...
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