By Dr. Macie Smith
Family caregivers often feel it’s their responsibility and theirs alone to look after their loved ones. They would never consider passing that on to anyone else.
As much as your loved one may appreciate your commitment, if you don’t give yourself enough time to rest and enjoy the best parts of your life, burnout will eventually start to creep in. And guess who bears the brunt of that? Your loved one.
Burnout affects how attentive you are or how patient you are–it can even sap your physical strength. You need to be fresh and enjoy your own life before you can improve someone else’s. That means if you feel yourself nearing the point of mental or physical exhaustion, it’s time to start accepting some additional help.
Let’s start with the easiest:
1. Rely on Friends and Family
Let your friends and family know that you’re struggling. Fill them in on the situation and explain where you could really use a hand. It could be anything as simple as carpooling to get your kids to school, to more tangible support that allows you to get out and do things for yourself, like having a friend spend time with your loved one. Many of us struggle to ask others for anything but remember, these people are your friends and family for a reason: they care about you.
2. Explore Social Opportunities
Another way to give yourself a break is to explore social opportunities for your loved one. Many towns have organizations geared towards providing social opportunities for aging adults like senior centers, the American Legion, game-night clubs, book clubs, and more. These types of outings give your loved one the chance to get out of the house, socialize with like-minded friends, and have meaningful ways to be part of the community. Establishing a strong social network for your loved one is an easy way to ensure you don’t need to be their only source of human interaction.
3. Rely on Community Resources
Aside from local social clubs, many communities have services dedicated to providing care for aging residents. Your local Area Agency on Aging can connect caregivers with a range of helpful resources, such as support groups, transportation assistance and home health services. Your Area Agency on Aging can also help guide you through your eligibility for government-funded programs such as Medicaid or the Older Americans Act.
4. Consider Respite Care
Respite care is one of the most popular ways family caregivers find temporary relief from their everyday responsibilities. Respite care programs like those offered by SYNERGY HomeCare are incredibly flexible and entirely personalized. You and your loved one can decide exactly how many hours per week you need caregiving services which avoids the cost of having all-day in-home aides.
The other great benefit to respite care is that it’s always available. Don’t wait until burnout finally catches up with you to actually reach out for help.
I’m here to tell you that there is no shame in prioritizing your own needs. At the end of the day, you need to be feeling good to do good.
If you are a family caregiver, you are not alone. Discover family caregiver resources and learn more about respite care through SYNERGY HomeCare.
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SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us to learn how we can provide additional support to you and your loved ones.
Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more articles by Dr. Macie Smith, click here.
