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5 Ways to Prevent Caregiver Burnout and How We Can Help
It’s simply too much.
Your loved one is now dependent upon you for so many things, whether that be assistance with bathing after a knee replacement or keeping track of extensive medications. They need constant attention. Stress has become your everyday companion.
You feel alone. You wonder if there’s any relief.
Caregiver burnout syndrome is very real and extremely common, and learning how to cope with it is vital to maintain a good quality of life for yourself and those you love.
“We have seen this too many times: A dedicated family member is taking care of a loved one at the expense of their own health. If you need to help someone you care about, you must first take care of yourself,” said April J. Brantham, CFRE, Director of Philanthropy. “It’s because we’re so aware of caregiver burnout that we provide services you need—from hospice care to home health—to ease the burden. After all, we consider you a part of our family, and the heart of family means helping each other.”
But how can you prevent getting burned out? We’ve outlined five simple ways and provided solutions from 3HC that will enable you to get the rest you need.
5 Ways to Prevent Caregiver Burnout
1. Realize You Can’t Go It Alone
There’s no shame in asking for assistance. While you may be hesitant, remember that those who care about you genuinely want to help you. You can’t be expected to do it all.
For example, you may ask a friend, family member or neighbor to help you by:
If you are a member of a religious or civic organization, don’t be afraid to lean on your fellow members or parishioners for support.
2. Take Care of Yourself Physically
This is not the time to skimp on taking care of yourself. Nutritious meals, drinking plenty of water and sleeping well are all a part of avoiding caregiver burnout. Exercise also helps, whether that means going to the gym or just taking a quiet walk in nature.
Those who are caregivers frequently help their loved one at the expense of their own health. According to the Caregiver Family Alliance, 11% of family caregivers reported that caregiving caused their own physical health to deteriorate.
3. Go To a Support Group
You’ll find that you’re not alone. There are so many going through a similar situation, and they can help uplift you and provide comfort and support.
If you’re looking for a caregiver support group, just contact us and we’ll put you in touch with some local resources.
In addition to support from others, you may wish to seek additional help from a therapist or trained counselor. They can help you cope not only with caregiver burnout, but with the wide range of emotions you’re feeling. Clergy can also provide comfort and resources to help you.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate
When facing a momentous task, it’s important to break it up into smaller, more manageable “chunks.” Then, you shouldn’t be afraid to delegate and provide instructions to others and allow them to continue the task.
Often, this means letting go of how you think things “should” be done. Allowing others to help you handle larger tasks will go a long way toward protecting your mental and physical health.
5. Say “No” When You Need To
This is not the time to take on extra projects. If you regularly volunteer, say no to requests that will leave you exhausted and stressed. In addition, you may want to take a break from the many things you do for others while you’re engaged in caregiving. Now is not the time to offer to carpool or provide snacks for your child’s classroom.
Those who are aware of your situation are generally sympathetic and understanding. (And if not, do not be afraid to set healthy boundaries.)
How We Can Help You With Caregiver Burnout
What do you do when your loved one needs therapy or specialized services but can’t leave the home? This adds just another layer of caregiver stress to your plate.
However, through our home health services, we can assist with:
By engaging these services, it will make it less likely that your loved one will need to seek hospital services, allowing them to stay at home for as long as they can.
We also provide nursing aide services, which can assist with:
If your loved one has Medicare, please be aware there are some very specific requirements that must be met in order for it to pay for home healthcare services. (We also recommend speaking with your Medicare representative for the most up-to-date and accurate information.)
Not sure about the differences between home health and hospice care? Do you know when it’s time for each one? Take a look at our earlier, in-depth article, “What Is Home Health Care? How Is It Different From Hospice?”
Let 3HC Be Your Partner in Caring for Those You Love
With everything else on your plate, you shouldn’t have to worry about your loved one accessing needed medical services. Our home health care services help make it possible.
If your loved one needs to make the progression from home health care to hospice, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
For decades, we’ve provided compassionate services to North Carolina residents from the Triangle to the coast. The reason we’ve been around so long? Because we treat you like family. That philosophy is at the heart of all that we do. Want to know more about our home health services? Just contact us.
