Being a caregiver is difficult. Each year millions of people take on the responsibility to care for family members who are disabled, sick, or elderly. While caring for a loved one can be rewarding, it is a difficult and demanding job. Those who care for others daily can become overworked and stressed. It is not unusual for caregivers who experience significant stress over long periods to lack proper self-care. As a result, there are several risk factors associated with being a caregiver such as depression, lack of sleep or sleeping too much, weight loss or gain, social isolation, anger, substance abuse, and physical pain. For these reasons, self-care is necessary.
Here are some ways caregivers can care for themselves:
Get help- it is important to solicit the help of other family members, friends, or healthcare professionals. Getting help allows you to take time off and address your own wants and needs. Getting help may include allowing someone else to assist with picking up prescriptions, cooking, doing laundry, or even giving you an hour break time.
Have a support system- it is important to learn about available resources that can help with caregiver’s stress. For example, support groups, social support from friends and family, mental health services, EAP services, or respite care. Finally,
Take care of yourself- being a caregiver is hard, and you should take time to address your own needs. You can do this by getting enough sleep, talking to your doctor, having a balanced diet, and setting aside time for yourself. The healthier you are, the more likely you will continue to provide care for your loved one.
EAP can help by connecting you to mental health counselors, conduct assessments for substance abuse, depression, anxiety, make referrals to work-life services, and offering 24-hour access to over the phone counseling and advice.
Other Resources:
AARP (2020) Caregiver Life Balance. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2019/caregiver-stress-burnout.html
Sources:
Fallon Health (2020) How EAPs help with caregiving issues. Retrieved from http://www.fchp.org/caregiver-blog/2017/September/How-EAPs-help-with-caregiving-issues.aspx
Mayo Clinic (2020) Caregiver stress: Tips for taking care of yourself. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784
Harvard Health Publishing (2016) 4 things you can do to alleviate caregiver stress. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/4-things-you-can-do-to-alleviate-caregiver-stress
