Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

 

Nurses. Teachers. Even fast food workers. All of these people are considered at high-risk for job-related burnout. But Caregivers are seldom mentioned on these lists. Since most Caregivers are Family Caregivers, they aren’t paid, so burnout statistics aren’t readily available.

 

But paid or not, Caregiving is a job. And it’s one that comes at an incredible personal toll to all who have made a lifestyle of it. Hopefully more recognition, like the President’s Proclamation that November 2021 is National Family Caregiver Month, will elevate the plight of Caregivers and provide more resources to those providing care.

 

In the meantime, we’ll elaborate on the 10 tips from one of our favorite resources: The Caregiver Action Network https://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/10-tips-family-caregivers

 

  • Seek support from other caregivers. You are not alone!
  • Finding a local support groups is a great opportunity to connect and identify with others who are experiencing many of the same challenges. Check out the resources provided by Valley Caregiver Resource Center, or a resource center in another community supported by the Family Caregiver Alliance
  • Take care of your own health so that you can be strong enough to take care of your loved one.
  • When a lifeguard enters the water, they are trained to make their own safety first priority, because if the lifeguard becomes incapacitated, who saves them both? Caregivers must take the same approach.
  • Take care of your health and personal care needs by keeping regular doctor’s appointments, getting your flu shot and other vaccinations, and exercising regularly. Talking to others and spending at least a few minutes outside each day can also help relieve stress.
  • “To avoid burnout, Dr. Albert Einstein sat in a tub and watched the bubbles. No one could talk to him. He was thinking and watching the bubbles. To reduce your risk of burnout, take a few minutes every day to have quiet. Even three minutes a day will make a difference.” Dr. Mary Donohue, Founder of The Digital Wellness Center
  • Accept offers of help and suggest specific things people can do to help you.
  • The key word here is SPECIFIC!
  • Have you ever said to someone “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.” And did they let you know? They usually don’t. But people who say this usually DO want to help, they just don’t know how!
  • Accept offers of help by giving specific tasks, like covering while you run to a specific appointment, picking up a specific list of necessities, or cooking a specific

 

  • Learn how to communicate effectively with doctors.
  • This video from the Caregiver Action Network explains specific recommendations, like
    • How to keep track of a the care team
    • How to communicate effectively
    • Keeping a current medications list
    • What questions to ask regarding insurance and billing
  • Caregiving is hard work so take respite breaks often.
  • Skipping over your own health appointments and self-care needs doesn’t help anyone. Respite Care Services can be arranged by Caregiver To You (LINK), Valley Caregiver Resource Center, or for income-eligible individuals in some counties, by an In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program.

 

  • Watch out for signs of depression and don’t delay getting professional help when you need it.
  • WebMD and the Mayo Clinic have excellent articles to help identify the causes of Caregiver Depression and possible solutions, but if you are experiencing signs of depression, it might be time to reach out to your physician. According to WebMD, if any of the following symptoms are severe or last for more than 2 weeks, it’s time to get help:
    • Feeling empty, hopeless, or run down
    • Little interest in activities you once enjoyed
    • Irritable
    • Trouble concentrating
    • Weight loss or gain
    • Changes in your sleep pattern

 

  • Be open to new technologies that can help you care for your loved one.
  • There are multiple ways in which technology can simplify your job as a Caregiver. Here are some of the best tools you should consider:
    • TeleVisit Options for an appointment with the doctor or Caregiver To You.
    • Home Automation Tools like a Ring doorbell, door locks and surveillance cameras with motion detection.
    • Emergency Response Systems like Amazon’s Alexa Together or Aloe Care Health
    • Motion Sensing Tech from an Alarm Service like Ring or a standalone chime or device.
    • Medication Reminders or Dispensers
    • GPS Devices – Check out this list of recommendations from the Senior Link Blog.

 

  • Organize medical information so it’s up to date and easy to find.
  • Our experience is that the most important document to keep handy for all appointments is a current list of medications that includes the dose and frequency of administration
  • It’s also helpful to keep a single list of health care providers, or to have a business card holder to keep track of the contact information for your current health care providers.
  • Make sure legal documents are in order.
  • Which documents you need will vary from person to person, but the following documents should be in order for anyone who has or needs them:
    • Power of Attorney
    • Advanced Medical Directive
    • Will and/or Trust Documents
    • Insurance Policies
    • Social Security Payment Information
  • Give yourself credit for doing the best you can in one of the toughest jobs there is!
  • Paid or not, Caregiving is hard work, and one of the most noble choices any individual can make. Caregiving is worthy of respect, and you should take price in your role as a Caregiver. Thank you for what you do.