By Dr. Macie Smith, SYNERGY HomeCare Gerontologist
Summary:
Compassion fatigue, or caregiver syndrome, is the sudden emotional, physical, and psychological toll of caregiving. To best combat it, you should:
• Recognize the signs – fatigue, irritability, emotional numbness
• Address your own self-care needs
• Set boundaries
• Maintain your old schedule as best as possible
• Seek respite
Being a family caregiver is a tremendous responsibility, often entailing taking care of both older and younger loved ones, as well as yourself. “Compassion fatigue,” sometimes called caregiver syndrome, describes the emotional, physical, and psychological toll that being a family caregiver can take on someone when they aren’t able to adequately care for themselves.
With National Caregiver’s Day coming up this February 20th, it’s the perfect time to acknowledge and show appreciation for the family caregivers in your life. If you happen to be a family caregiver, now is also the time to take a step back and focus on yourself.
Understanding and Acknowledging Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue is more than just a crash after a long day. It’s a physical and emotional response to overexerting yourself in high-stress situations. You may feel:
• Physically and mentally drained
• Emotionally numb or detached
• Frustrated or irritable
Unlike caregiver burnout, which accumulates over time, compassion fatigue can hit in a sudden wave from the exhaustion your body is going through. Fortunately, if you notice yourself exhibiting these feelings, there are multiple ways to combat them.
Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers
• Check in with yourself. Take a step back and ask, “What do I need right now?” the same way you would ask the person that you provide care for. In this moment, you’re the care recipient, and you should treat yourself the way you’d treat someone else.
• Set boundaries. You’re not a superhero. It’s okay to not have the emotional or physical bandwidth to take on every burden that a loved one has. Ask for help or say no sometimes.
• Don’t “should” yourself. Stop thinking, “I should be doing more,” or “I shouldn’t be taking a break right now.” Ultimately, this line of thinking puts more pressure on you than anyone else can. When you stop telling yourself that you’re obligated to do everything, you’ll be able to replenish your energy and emotional capabilities.
• Remember your own life. Stay connected with your friends and colleagues and keep doing the things you enjoyed before becoming a family caregiver. Of course, providing care for someone can impede your normal routine, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice all of the things that you enjoy.
• Prioritize your health. You physically can’t provide care for someone else if you aren’t well yourself. Stay on top of your diet and exercise, get enough sleep, and adhere to the schedule that you know works for yourself.
You Deserve Support, Too
Caregiving is a labor of love, but compassion fatigue is real. It’s critical that when the signs arise, you recognize them and let yourself take a step back to address them. If you’re still worried that your loved one won’t be able to get by without you, there are plenty of options available that can provide you with respite while ensuring that their needs are met.
SYNERGY HomeCare’s team of compassionate caregivers is already familiar with providing both short-term respite care and long-term companion care. If you need a little extra help this National Caregiver’s Day, visit https://synergyhomecare.com/family-caregiver-resources/ or call 877-432-2692.
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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.
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