Senior Caregivers
Caregiver Burnout
As mentioned in my previous post, I would continue to share an excellent article regarding how to survive caring for your Senior parents and how to watch for the indications that you are on the brink of burning out from the unrelenting responsibility.
This article was provided by Viki Kind, MA a clinical bioethicist, medical educator and hospice volunteer.
http://thecaregiverspath.com
viki@kinethics.com
Part II
Are You in Caregiver Burnout?
Here are just some of the signs of caregiver stress and burnout: feeling physically exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, anxious, hopeless, angry, depressed, isolated, mentally drained, lonely and frustrated. You may be too tired to make the effort to do the things you used to do for yourself or your loved one.
You might be getting ill yourself. You may feel as though nobody is listening to your concerns. You may want to lash out at your co-workers or your friends and family.
Why Do Caregivers Burn Out?
•Caregivers may not be able to sleep because their loved ones are up all night.
•Caregivers may not have the necessary training to offer the care that is needed.
•Caregivers may be physically doing more than they can.
•Caregivers may have to quit their jobs to stay home with their loved ones.
•Caregivers may go bankrupt because of increasing expenses.
•Caregivers may feel guilty if they take time out for themselves.
•Caregivers may feel that they should be strong and not need any help.
•And caregivers usually don’t ask for help.
Unfortunately, by the time you need extra help, you may be too tired, emotionally fatigued or depressed to ask for it. You have to get a support team in place when you begin caregiving so that you don’t get to your breaking point. Start planning ahead of time, before you need the help.
Caregiving and Your Senior Parents
I never intended this site to be limited to the discussion of Reverse loans but also be a resource and platform that would allow others who specialize in the Senior market, to share valuable information, that otherwise may be difficult to locate.
And one difficulty for the adult children is that of their aging parents and how best to help them through this life process, treating them with respect and at the same time, maintaining their own sanity.
I will be posting the following article that has been provided by Viki Kind, MA, discussing this very issue. Because of the length of it, I will share it within three different posts over the course of the next seven days.
About the Author: Viki Kind, MA
Viki Kind is a clinical bioethicist, medical educator and hospice volunteer. She has lectured across the United States teaching healthcare professionals to have integrity, compassion and to improve end-of-life care through better communication.
Patients, families and healthcare professionals rely on Viki’s practical approach to dealing with challenging healthcare dilemmas. She has also been a caregiver for many years for four members of her family in the Los Angeles area.
http://thecaregiverspath.com
viki@kindethics.com
Part I
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This is an edited excerpt from “The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making – Making Choices for Those Who Can’t,” pp. 107-110, by Viki Kind, MA, (2010, Greenleaf Book Group)
Savvy Caregiving —Getting the Support You Need
I was the caregiver for a number of family members for many, many years. Sometimes I could manage just fine. But at other times I felt overwhelmed and unappreciated. Even when I knew what to do, I was still exhausted and worried all the time. All I wanted to do was to crawl into bed and just sleep.
Even though I wanted to take care of the seniors in my life, sometimes it all became too much. I admire professionals who take care of those who are disabled, sick or dying every day. But I also know it comes at a cost to the person doing the caregiving. So, let’s talk about the signs of caregiver stress and then discuss ways you can ask for help. (Help is out there, even if it doesn’t come from your family.)