10 Tips to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
by Lakelyn Hogan, MA, MBA, Gerontologist and Caregiver Advocate, Home Instead Senior Care:
Caring for a loved one living with a dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease is among the most stressful of caregiving situations. Many caregivers lose sleep because they are afraid of what will happen to their loved one if left unattended. Others give up their jobs and social circles because they fear leaving their family member at home alone.
The role of caregiving can lead to ongoing long-term stress, which can result in caregiver burnout. A caregiver experiencing burnout may feel overwhelmed, unable to meet the demands of caregiving or even losing their motivation and interest in providing care. Caregiver burnout can lead to emotional, psychological and physical health issues.
The good news is, there are things that caregivers can do to prevent or reduce caregiver burnout. Here are 10 ways to avoid caregiver burnout:
Keep a journal to identify what you are feeling. Writing down what is happening and what you are feeling can help tap into your emotions.
Talk with a friend. Sometimes talking with someone who knows and loves you can help figure out what you are feeling.
Find a support group. Look to your local faith community, Alzheimer’s Society Canada or the Alzheimer’s Association to connect with others who are going through the same thing. Consider joining the Remember for Alzheimer’s Facebook page of more than 270,000 followers who are struggling with many of these same issues.
Don’t be afraid to ask. Consider taking people up on their offers to help whether it’s dinner or carpool assistance. Even several small tasks taken off of your plate can free up extra time in your day.
Get help. If there is a specific task that is difficult, consider asking someone else to do it. Look into to home care providers for some extra assistance at home, such as Home Instead Senior care. You could also call a free local hotline for assistance. The Alzheimer’s Society Canada hotline is 1-800-616-8816 or the Alzheimer’s Association hotline in the U.S. is: 1-800-272-3900.
Plan ahead as much as possible. Not only is it good to play ahead for day-to-day events, but also for future care and support needs. Planning ahead for the day-to-day can help to reduce uncertainty. Researching care and support options in advance can help you make informed decisions when it comes time for assistance.
Take a break. Respite care, or a break, is not just a “nice” thing, it’s a necessity when caring for someone with dementia. Respite care can come in many forms. For example, a family member or friend could spend time with your loved one while you take time away from caregiving. You can also hire home care professionals or take your loved one to an adult day centre. There are even respite grants available such as the Hilarity for Charity® grant program.
Begin with a mini-vacation. Create a list of things you enjoy doing such as reading, watching TV, listening to music, sitting outside and having coffee with a friend. Then take one or two 15-minute mini-breaks each day to do something on your list.
Take care of yourself. Good self-care contributes to emotional well-being and helps better manage stress and the emotions that accompany caregiving.
Let it go. Ask yourself if something is really important – if it matters. That practice will likely keep you from getting upset about things you can just let go.
For additional information on reducing caregiver burden, visit caregiverstress.ca. If you are in need of respite care, apply for Hilarity for Charity dementia home care grant by visiting helpforalzheimersfamilies.com.
Photo Credit: Home Instead Senior Care