When your loved one’s needs increase, it can be easy for the primary caregiver to burn out.

Responsibility generally falls to the adult child to make decisions for their mom or dad.  This can be both exhausting and overwhelming.  It is super important that the primary caregiver gets support and help to keep themselves healthy and at their best.  Caregiver burnout can present itself in a variety of ways:  fatigue and lack of sleep, withdrawal from social activities, feelings of loneliness or hopelessness, and anger or frustration.

Here are some tips to avoid this from happening:

  1.  Prioritize Time for Yourself and Allow for “Self-Care”.  Being realistic about your own needs and limitations allows you to get help sooner.  Self-Care looks different for everyone.  It could be something as simple as taking a long walk or even having coffee outside on your deck.  See your own needs and allow time to meet them.
  2.  Delegate and Accept Help.  There is nothing wrong with seeking the help of others.  Looking to other family members or professionals to assist in mom or dad’s care can be a game changer for everyone.  The primary caregiver should not see this as a failure in any way!
  3.  Create a Routine which Allows for Exercise and Healthy Sleep Patterns.  Making sure you, the primary caregiver, stay healthy allows your loved one get the best!
  4.  Seek Emotional Support. Whether it be through support groups, talk therapy, friends or clergy, talking through your struggles allows you to take time to heal and be be heard.
  5.  Allow Yourself to Feel all the Emotions.  Bottling up how you feel, is not healthy.  If you need to cry, do it!  If you need to walk away and take a breath, do that, too!

At Seaside Home Health Care, we are now offering a new program which allows assistance to patients and their primary caregivers.  Our Concierge Care Managers can assist the family caregivers with planning care, coordination of services and providing peace of mind so the family caregivers can go back to being family.

We would love to assist you as you help your loved one be successful at home!