Q & A: Preventing caregiver burnout
Posted by:
Tamar at NBTS on
May 24, 2011 at
12:48PM UEDT
Question:
I’m a caregiver for my daughter. I spend so much time
taking care of her (and everything else around the house!) that I rarely
have time for myself. I’m starting to burnout, and I don’t know what
to do. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer:
I bet, like many
caregivers, you've heard it a hundred times: “Be sure to take care of
yourself” ... and when you hear it, you think, “Yeah, okay -- easier
said than done!”
You are now in the role of a “caregiver” for
your loved one, but it’s important to remember who you are first: a
spouse, parent, sibling, son, daughter…YOU. It’s incredibly difficult
when caring for a brain tumor patient to juggle work, family, billing
offices, medical appointments, personal obligations – let alone take
some time for yourself.
Research has shown that people who care
for others have a much higher risk of developing significant health
problems. So, how can you try to take care of yourself while taking care
of a loved one?
1. Exercise is often mentioned as important to
self-care. But if you didn’t have time to make it to the gym before the
“new normal” of life after the tumor, it may seem daunting to make time
for it now. Here’s a secret: you don’t have to go to the gym! A 10
minute walk around the block will not only allow you to get some fresh
air, it will help give your brain and your senses a break. The change of
scenery will also help lower stress and anxiety.
2. The frequent
medical appointments for your loved one may get in the way of your own
medical check ups. When was the last time you saw your doctor? If you
can’t remember, it’s time to make an appointment for a check up!
3.
Think back prior to your loved one’s diagnosis - what did you enjoy
that you miss doing now? Is there a way to still incorporate your
interests? Re-engaging in old hobbies or going on outings with friends
can make a world of difference -- not just for you, but also for how you
treat and care for your loved one. You may not be able to continue
going on week-long vacations, but how about a cup of coffee or a quick
trip over to a friend’s house?
4. One of the biggest roadblocks
for caregivers is the hesitation to ask for help. There’s something
about us humans that makes us think we have to do it all. If you want to
be an effective caregiver, recognizing the need for help is important.
Having an army of people will help you and your family make it through
this physically, emotionally, and hopefully with some laughs along the
way.
To learn more about caring for YOURself, keep an eye out for resources tomorrow.
Have a helpful tip for other caregivers out there? Leave a comment and let us know!
Tamar Sekayan, MSW
Assistant Director of Patient Services
Note: originally posted in Feb '10
NBTS Headquarters Blog
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