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Being a caregiver comes with a mixed bag of emotions. Most days you can feel a sense of purpose and gratitude mixed with compassion and love. But what do you do when those feelings become edged out by doubt, self-neglect, and a general sense of exhaustion known as “caregiver stress?” In today’s blog, we wanted to take a moment to speak to the importance of self care. Many see the symptoms and downplay the importance of taking time for themselves, however, lack of self care can lead to depression, a lowered immune system, and render the caregiver incapable of caring for your loved ones.

How can you tell if you’re at risk for caregiver stress? Women most often fall victim to caregiver stress simply because they are more common in this profession. Certain environmental factors such as living with your patient and/or social isolation can also play a role. Extending yourself to try to meet financial commitments and feeling overwhelmed in an ocean of financial responsibility are strains on your emotional and physical health as well.

How To Decrease Caregiver Stress

• Set Realistic Goals.
  
  Set realistic goals and focus on what you are able to contribute to your loved one’s care. You are not expected to be their nurse, physical therapist, doctor, and spiritual guide; that’s why there are medical professionals who assist in their care. Remember that you can only do what you are able to, and allow yourself to release the guilt of not seeing every possible future scenario when it comes to your patient’s health and wellbeing. Understand that while you are a super human in compassion and ability, no one expects Clark Kent to finish 4 loads of laundry, cook, clean, hand out meds, drive to exams, and take possibly take care of his own family the same day he goes out to save the world. Realistic goals are the stepping stones of being a reliable caregiver. If you’re questioning whether or not the goals and daily expectations you set yourself are reasonable, ask someone in your life who you trust. This leads into tip number 2….
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• Accept help.
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  Choose a helper who you can rely on to carry through the tasks that you may not be able to complete. Make a list of your weekly responsibilities and ask your helper to complete specific tasks. Do this ahead of time so you don’t feel the pressure of the list on your shoulders the whole week, and then feel burdened by guilt of asking them to help too late. Every superhero has a sidekick, so allow your partner and/or friends to be the Robin to your overworked Batman. And when someone offers to assist you, don’t be too shy or weighted by guilt and say no. Remember that they are offering because they love you and want to care for you as well.
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• Stay connected to society socially.
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  You deserve a night out at least once a month. Enjoying dinner out with a friend relieves you of the need to cook for yourself that night as well as allowing you to maintain a social life. Take time to walk through the garden; work will still be there when you finish. Live as normally as you can, and the pressure you feel will lessen.
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• Stay connected and informed through caregiver groups.
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  Join a support group for caregivers of terminally-ill patients. They understand what you are going through and will be there to listen when you need an ear. You can join an online community or channel for caregivers or family of terminally ill patients, specific to their diagnosis. This creates on open dialogue and free flowing knowledge about new treatments, proven therapies, and what to expect as their condition worsens or improves. Subscribing to a blog on that illness can take care of some of the “what if’s” about caring for that illness or noticing it’s progression.
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• Set personal health goals for yourself.
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  Try to remember to drink 2 liters of water each day. If you or a friend notices you are losing weight, make a plan on how to maintain a healthy body. You can run that 5k in the spring if you practice your technique and keep remembering to train every week. These personal health goals that you set for yourself keep you in check when you may not notice a decline in your own health. And always remember…
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• See a doctor regularly.
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  Your health is just as, if not more important, than your loved one’s or patient’s health. In order to continually give the highest standard of care, you must first be healthy yourself. Take vitamins in your doctor recommends them. Keep up to date on vaccinations and screenings. And if your doctor orders rest or follow up with a specialist or therapist, listen. A doctor’s job is to keep you healthy enough to do yours, and they will always have your best interests at heart, even when you feel it may be unimportant.
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help others by tending to yourself

Caring for a patient with a life-limiting illness is scary and stressful, but it can be a heartwarming and wonderful experience if you allow it to be. Take care of yourself first and foremost, and you can allow that level of care to surround your family member of loved one’s life each day.

If you have questions about comfort care, please give us a call at (724) 335-1600, message us via social media, or submit a form online . We can help you find the best option for you or your loved one.

We also encourage you to share this content on your news feed. You never know who it could help. Knowledge is power!