Caring for elderly friends or family members is the challenging reality in today’s world. Many Canadian caregivers are also currently in the work force. According to Statistics Canada, 7 out of every 10 caregivers were employed and many of these caregivers were women. Caregiver burnout can be a common setback for some and is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude — from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. This burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able — either physically or financially. Caregivers who are “burned out” may experience fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Some helpful coping suggestions:
-Don’t forget about yourself because you’re too busy caring for someone else. Set aside time for yourself, even if it’s just an hour or two.
-Take advantage of respite care services.
-Educate yourself. The more you know about the illness, the more effective you will be in caring for the person with the illness.
-Stay healthy by eating right and getting plenty of exercise and sleep. Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself. It’s not a useful emotion.
-Accept your feelings. Having negative feelings, such as frustration or anger, about your responsibilities or the person for whom you are caring is normal. It does not mean you are a bad caregiver or person.