Wednesday, 05 July 2023

Carers, take care of yourself at all costs

It’s an act of love, but sometimes it entails exhaustion, frustration, anxiety and depression. Carer stress, the physical and emotional strain of caring for a loved one with a disability or health problem, can endanger your own health and place the person you care for at risk too.

How do I recognize caregiver burnout?

• Shifts in attitude: A carer who once felt enthusiastic about their responsibilities may now feel consistently apathetic and tired over completing them.
• Emotional agitation: Carers experiencing burnout may become frequently irritable, anxious, or depressed. The opposite can also be a sign — some may feel emotionally numb or helpless.
• Social withdrawal: Feeling overwhelmed, a carer may distance themselves from family and friends. They may also neglect their own hobbies and interests.
• Neglecting self-care: They may neglect their own health or not get enough sleep, exercise, or healthy meals.
• Physical symptoms: Like all types of chronic stress, burnout can show up in physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, a weakened immune system, and changes in appetite or sleeping patterns.

Carers and emotional health

Most carers will have their own families to take care of, a job to nurture, and countless other responsibilities on their plate. This is sure to lead to copious amounts of stress when trying to ‘do it all’. Throw in the frustration and sadness of watching your loved one get older and less independent before your eyes, and intense emotional health issues are inevitable.

Caring and physical health

As most people are aware, there is a strong link between emotional and physical health. If you are forced to endure long term periods of stress or worry, your body is likely to begin exhibiting signs of this. You may notice that you lose or gain weight, begin having trouble with insomnia, and just do not have the energy necessary to exercise. Caring also takes up a sizable chunk of your time, meaning that you probably won’t make it to various preventative doctors’ appointments and screenings.

ULTIMATELY, IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT YOU MATTER TOO. If you notice that taking such an active role in a loved one’s care is affecting you negatively, it may be time to consider an alternative solution.

Find a place, person or activity you can go to for motivation and, inspiration

Many carers find solace in their spirituality while others lean into a spouse or close friend to keep them motivated and inspired. Activities that can provide an inspirational message include walking, reading or soaking up Mother Nature. Once you find your inspiration, remember how to recreate it, because caregiving can continue to be isolating.

Take time to reflect along the journey.

The days can be long but the time could be short. It’s important to reflect and remember throughout the caregiving journey. Each day you may learn something new about your role or loved one. You’ll likely develop new strengths. Hear the compliments you may receive, they may be exactly what you need to lift you up and help you get through your day.

Managing carer burnout

If you think your health may be taking a toll on your caring, the following tips may help you identify whether it’s time you sought help:

• Do you easily feel irritable or angry?
• Do you often cry unexpectedly, or have dramatic mood swings?
• Do you have trouble falling and staying asleep?
• Have you recently gained or lost weight?
• Is it hard to concentrate when performing mental tasks?
• Have you developed high blood pressure?
• Do you feel socially isolated, like nobody understands?

If you answered "yes" to the majority of these questions, it could be a signal that you shouldn’t put your own health on hold.

Home health care for the elderly

Many people are hesitant to send their ageing relatives to an assisted living facility because they worry about their relative’s quality of life, as well as the associated costs. There is also a stigma attached to sending your loved ones ‘to a home’.

Luckily, assisted living facilities are not the only option available to you in terms of full-time care. Live-in care for the elderly makes it possible for your relative to ‘age in place’ in the comfort of their own home.

In this instance, a live-in companion will take over the caregiving duties so that you can focus more on spending quality time with your loved one and re-focusing your mind on taking better care of yourself!

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