Being a Caregiver

Photo Credit: Alex Blajan, Unsplash

Caring for a disabled, chronically ill family member or an older adult is rarely straightforward. Many caregivers experience stress as a result of juggling employment and caring commitments. But there are strategies to manage stress and prevent it from becoming overwhelming. 

Feeling overloaded is a significant source of caregiver stress. There may be several conflicting demands on your time, and these demands may leave little or no time for you to accomplish the activities you like. Simultaneously, you may experience the emotional strain of caring for someone whose condition may not improve. The burden may be overwhelming when simultaneously working and raising a family.

Recognize the Signs of Caregiver Burnout 

Often, caregivers hesitate to admit the hardships of their job because they regard it as an admission of failure. Yet, identifying and accepting stress is the first step toward alleviating it. This acknowledgment is critical for the caregiver and everyone around them, including the impaired relative, relatives, and coworkers. Here are some of the most prevalent symptoms of caregiver stress: 

■ Anxiety 

■ Depression 

■ Sleeping and eating problems 

■ Headaches 

■ Susceptibility to illness 

■ Anger 

■ Loneliness 

■ Guilt 

■ Irritability or impatience 

■ Withdrawal from friends and family 

Get Support

The essential thing to remember about caring for others is that you do not have to do it alone. Your first aim should be obtaining assistance for your caregiver job. 

Consider: 

■ Asking for help from other family members 

■ Asking for help from your community 

■ Asking for help from friends and neighbors  

■ Sharing your struggles with managers, coworkers, and friends 

■ Taking care of yourself by taking breaks from caregiving 

■ Taking care of yourself by eating properly and getting enough sleep 

Photo Credit: Raychan, Unsplash

Seek help 

Understanding when to ask for help is an essential skill for carers. It may appear more accessible to perform the task alone, but you risk soon becoming exhausted. To avoid this, you may need to draw into your family's and community's human resources. 

Get help from other family members 

Often, most caring responsibilities fall on the shoulders of one or two family members. This does not have to be the case.

Here are some ideas for enlisting the help of other family members:

Hold Family Meetings
It is critical to update all family members, especially those with little interest, about the care provided regularly. These meetings can be held in person, by email, or online. 

Be Specific In Your Requests For Help
Create a list of everything that needs to be done and urge family members to take responsibility for specific duties, such as picking up a prescription or doing laundry, at least occasionally. 

Do Not Let Long-Distance Family Members Off The Hook 
They can help by paying bills, preserving records, and handling legal and financial problems. 

Show Your Appreciation
You might accomplish this with a note or a phone call. Such acknowledgement will inspire family members to volunteer again. 

Extend your Support Network

Humans must feel helpful. Just because friends or neighbors haven't previously offered doesn't mean they don't want to assist. Create a list of everyone you know who can help—request assistance with specific tasks based on their abilities. Teenagers may also be able to help with errands or chores.

Below are the recommended actions.

Make contact with others 
A sense of solitude is one of the most stressful outcomes of caregiving.

Find someone you trust with whom you can share your emotions 
All sentiments, including unpleasant ones like rage, guilt, and despair, are valid. By repressing these emotions, you risk them exploding negatively, such as rage towards others or inability to focus at work. 

Explore counseling 
A family or individual counselor can assist you in coping with the complicated and intense emotions that caring elicits. A counselor or therapist can help you balance competing personal, job, and family obligations. 

Find a support group or start one of your own
Joining a support group whose members are dealing with similar challenges to yours will reassure you that you are not alone and will provide you with valuable resources and insights. 

Caregiving and Work 

Caregiving obligations are rarely limited to lunchtime. Some caregivers attempt to conceal their caregiving role until it interferes with their job performance or jeopardizes their careers. However, some steps may be taken to avoid this:

• Inform your supervisors and coworkers of your caregiving duties.

• Investigate whether you can come in on an alternative schedule or work at home

• Check whether your employer’s benefits (such as a Dependent Care Assistance Plan) can help pay for eldercare costs.

• Explore the possibility of taking a family leave in emergencies.

You Deserve a Break 

Make time for yourself apart from your caregiving position for your mental wellness. See a movie, read a book, or meet a buddy for lunch. Spending lengthy time off may require the use of a respite care agency. There are three types of respite care in addition to family and friends: 

Home care services
Workers come to your home to help with everything from cooking to bathing. 

Adult daycare
The person cared for participates in supervised activities with other older adults. 

A temporary stay in a long-term care facility
Many nursing homes offer short-term stays to give caregivers some time off. 

Safeguard Your Own Health 

Stress may lead to several illnesses, and many caregivers are in danger of becoming ill because they ignore their health issues. Pay close attention to your personal requirements.

• Eat properly

• Get your needed hours of sleep

• Exercise regularly

• Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation

• Set aside time for things you enjoy. In short, to provide good care, take care of yourself

Important Disclosures
This material is provided for general and educational purposes only and is not investment advice. Your investments should correspond to your financial needs, goals, and risk tolerance. Please consult an investment professional before making any investment or financial decisions or purchasing any financial, securities, or investment-related service or product, including any investment product or service described in these materials.

Portions of this article were sourced from the work of MFS Heritage Planning. Neither MFS nor any of its subsidiaries are affiliated with Optima Capital Management.

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