Welcome to ‘Ask Alicia,’ a series where I share updates, tips, and resources for our caregiver and respite care community. I cover topics ranging from memory care to in-home services to well-being for caregivers, and more. Feedback is always welcome and I would love to hear what topics you would like more information on so please reach out to me at [email protected] at your convenience.
The summer is winding down but if your household is anything like mine, it’s easy to recognize that fall is simultaneously itching to wind up! It seems that time is moving so quickly that we jump from one busy season to the next without much time to assess where we’ve been and where we are going, let alone where we currently are in terms of capacity and wellbeing. This pinch can be extra stressful for those of us who are caring for not only children but also for people in our lives who are aging or in need of additional support.
Caregiver burnout is real and it doesn’t wait for a change in seasons to occur. But there are things we can do to ensure we are recognizing signs of burnout in ourselves or our loved ones before it becomes unbearable, and it’s important to carve out time to do so, even when life is constantly pulling us in multiple directions.
I’ve pulled together a few tips I encourage all caregivers to consider during this season of transition – many of these tips are things I’m working hard to implement in my own life. Have a tip of your own to share? I’d love to hear from you. Reach out to [email protected] to share and we’ll spread the knowledge in an upcoming newsletter, blog post, or social media post. Or if you get to my last tip and want to discuss support options, my team and I are here for you.
- Put yourself first. This sounds completely counterintuitive to caregiving but it is imperative as a caregiver. Sit down with your schedule and assess what each responsibility will require and then build in break times, just for yourself. Try blocking time on a physical calendar that you and your family can see. A quick walk, bike ride, or even nap will go a long way in preserving your energy. Same for eating well and drinking enough water – try to plan ahead so making healthier choices can become easier when pressed for time. Remember: you cannot give the best care to others if you are not caring for yourself first.
- Communicate with your loved ones. Review your weekly and daily plans. Let them know what you need in order to take care of the house or the people you are caring for. The gift of delegating is a learned behavior for many of us but I’ve found that most people want to help and crave being a contributor, no matter the age.
- Give yourself grace. Not every minute, hour, day will go as planned. In those moments, try your hardest to breathe and even give yourself permission to cry or even laugh if it is all too much. Those pauses are imperative and can help create a mini-reset in your day and your mental and emotional mindset.
- Know when to ask for help. For some reason, this is the one tip that is hardest for most, myself included! We are so conditioned to feel as though we need (can!) take on everything life calls of us on our own but, the reality of life is we all have a tipping point where an extra set of hands or an extra thought partner can be a real benefit. Talk to a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a professional to see if they can help with tasks and/or have recommendations for how to supplement the support you are providing. Even if you don’t know exactly what help you need, talking about it with someone you trust or with a service such as ours, can be a relief in and of itself.
Thanks for reading.
