Caring for a loved one, such as an ageing parent or sibling, can be a rewarding experience, often leading to a deeper bond between you and your loved one. However, taking care of another human being is hard work, and financial barriers, along with feelings of guilt, often lead caregivers to neglect their own needs.
Caregiver Burnout
There’s a lot to manage when you find yourself in a caregiving role, and the extra responsibility often leads to emotional and physical stress, resulting in feelings of frustration, sadness and isolation, and it can take a toll on your physical health.
Signs of caregiver stress include:
- Anxiety
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Gaining or losing weight
- Losing interest in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
- Feelings of sadness and depression
- Frequent headaches or other health problems
- Mood swings
- Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
- Feeling like your life and situation are no longer in your control
- Substance abuse
- Fatigue
Taking care of yourself
If you don’t take care of your own needs, you won’t be able to take care of anyone else. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to ease the stress of caregiving:
Ask for help and be willing to accept it – Odds are that you have more help waiting in the wings than you realise, and asking for help is not a sign of weakness or failure. Make a list of everything you need help with and let those offering to help decide what they can manage. Cooking meals, transport to medical appointments or keeping your loved one company while you take a nap will already help a lot.
Make time to connect – Combat feelings of isolation by reconnecting with your partner, friends, and family for support. You can also join a local support group to meet people who are in the same boat. Sharing your concerns with close friends or just catching up with their lives can ease stress and help you feel more connected, and discussing your problems with others facing the same challenges could also give you some new insights into how to deal with them.
Take care of your health – In order to take care of your loved one, you need to be strong and healthy. Stick to a sleep schedule to get enough sleep to revitalise and improve your immune system. Make time to cook healthy meals and snacks, and drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and keep your energy up. Go out and get some exercise. Just taking a walk outside will clear your mind and lower your stress levels. Finally, don’t skip your own medical check-ups and dentist appointments.
Get organised – Keep a calendar with important dates, store important documents in an easy-to-access place, and keep a list of numbers close by in case of emergency. Discuss your loved one’s wishes surrounding their health care when they are no longer able to make these decisions for themselves, and have emergency plans in place should something happen.
Take time for yourself – When caring for a loved one, we often feel guilty for leaving them in someone else’s care or anxious about what could go wrong. However, taking time to rest is the best thing you can do for yourself and the person in your care. Whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, take a break. Engage in activities you enjoy or go on vacation with friends.
Conclusion
Taking time for yourself can feel selfish when you’re caring for an ageing loved one. However, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so taking care of your own needs will benefit everyone in the long run.
