Taking Care of the Caregiver

Caregivers in Rye NY

As a primary family caregiver, you give time, energy and attention to your parent. If you were placed in this position due to a sudden illness or injury, you may not have had the time to deal with the emotions this change in lifestyle can bring. It’s a blessing for both you and your parent that you have the time to care for them, just remember to care for yourself as well. Caregiver burnout is not uncommon. A study of family caregivers in 2009 found that 23 percent of those caring for their loved one for five years or more reported their health to be fair to poor. Be aware of the following signs in order to nip any burnout in the bud.

Sleep Disturbance

You notice you’re having trouble falling asleep, or you’re waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble going back to sleep. Sleep deprivation can become a chronic cycle. The more stress accumulates in your life, the harder it is to get a good night’s sleep. The diminished sleep leads to an increase in stress. Stop this vicious cycle by practicing stress-reduction techniques. This can include listening to recordings as you drift off to sleep or should you wake up in the middle of the night. YouTube offers a vast amount of sleep and relaxation recordings.

Irritability

You can feel yourself getting irritated at minor inconveniences that use to have no affect on you. Nowadays, you feel as if your nerves are on the edge of a breakdown and the constant eye twitch verifies it. These types of symptoms suggest you need to take a break before they spiral into anger or depression. Your body is telling you to stop, breathe, take a time out and care for yourself.

Exhaustion

Constant, unresolved stress leads to exhaustion. If the thought of getting out of bed in the morning sends signals of dread instead of excitement; or the end of the day finds you heading for bed before the sun has even set, it’s time for a change.

Referred Caregiver

Consider obtaining the services of a referred caregiver who can assist your parent while you take some time to refresh. Then spend a day doing something you really love, whether it’s lounging around the house in your pajamas, reading a mystery, or taking a five-mile hike through the forest. Do what you love for one day. When your mind starts to drift to concerns or worries, use all your sense to bring it back to the task at hand. If you’re laying in the sunlight while reading your favorite novel, focus on the feel of the sun on your skin. Picture the story in your mind. Hear the surrounding sounds—a rush of wind, the honk of a horn. Breathe and relax. Giving yourself just one or two days a week to do the things that bring you joy can leave you refreshed and rejuvenated, leaving you offering the best you have to give when caring for your aging parent.

Resources
www.caregiveraction.org/resources/caregiver-statistics