Self-care for caregivers is a much needed but often overlooked topic in the care process.
Because while it’s a great gesture of love, the increasing difficulty of responsibilities also comes with immense physical, mental, and financial strain.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who care for persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia are at higher risk for poorer physical and mental health, and lower quality of life than others who care for people with other conditions.
A 2017 Alzheimer’s Association survey says 72% of caregivers report feeling stressed and overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Also, 43% of respondents reported having frequent feelings of guilt.
Self-care for caregivers simply means going at a steady pace, and taking breaks when you’re tired.
However, caregivers, in their dedication, often feel guilty about taking time off, especially when it involves the health and well-being of their loved.
The Cost of Caring Without Self-care
Neglecting your own needs is a surefire route to burnout, which endangers not just yourself, but also your loved one.
Caregiver burnout is also a major reason why families make the tough decision to move their loved ones into nursing homes.
A study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows that the more stressed a caregiver is, the chance of an elderly individual being placed in a nursing home is increased by 12 percent.
Signs of Caregiver Stress
- Anger and irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Inability to focus
- Health problems
- Withdrawal from friends and family
If you think you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to take a step back and ask how you could also take care of yourself.
Tips on Self-care for Caregivers
It’s difficult to recover from severe burnout, which is why self-care is so important for caregivers. Here are some self-care tips to help you make caregiving less stressful:
Talk to someone.
Whether it’s a friend, family member, therapist, or spiritual advisor, having someone you can talk to regarding your feelings and frustrations can greatly relieve stress.
Make time for Me Time.
After a busy day, a little Me Time can do your body and morale some good. So treat yourself to something you deserve. Like a warm bath, a good cup of coffee, or the guiltiest of desserts.
Ask for help.
Even superheroes get other superheroes to help them out once in a while. So don’t feel guilty to ask help when you need it. Here are a few ideas:
- Ask other family members to pitch in with tasks when you’re feeling overloaded.
- For chores or errands that require a big chunk of time, try outsourcing it to gig workers using services like Fiverr.
Hire professional respite care.
Respite care services allows you to hire in-home attendants, or send your loved one for a short time to a facility such as an adult day care center, or nursing home.
While respite care is costly, some insurance policies or government financing can help cover most of the cost.
Include joy into everyday care.
Self-care for caregivers doesn’t mean being separated from your loved one.
Apps like Joygage have dementia-friendly activities you can do together and enjoy together.
You can keep choose entertaining or engaging activities like watching movies, television shows, or listening to music. Or relaxing activities like doing meditation, yoga, or knitting.
And even simple household tasks such as preparing a meal or baking cookies, is a fun bonding activity that you can try.
Remember care is something you give and receive. So don’t feel guilty when you feel like you need a break. Because taking care of yourself makes you an even more capable caregiver for persons with dementia / Alzheimer’s.
So go ahead. Make plans. Call a friend. Relax. You deserve it.