400 health
Understanding caregiver fatigue
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” – Rosalynn Carter Dominik Lange, Unsplash
Tips for keeping yourself healthy, so you can help your loved one By Sudie Crouch | Health & wellness columnist
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y grandmother had often talked about how she wished she had went to school to be a nurse, saying that she felt like being a caregiver was a part of her nature. When my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she insisted on trying to keep her in the home as much as possible, as she felt like it was not only part of her vows to be with him in sickness and health, but that she was well able to take care of him. While her heart was in a place of love and compas-
16 | 400 LIFE | August 2022
sion, she didn’t realize the physical and emotional toll that comes with being a caregiver. At one point or another, many of us will find ourselves in the role of caregiver. Whether it’s for a brief stint, or long-term, it can be challenging. Caregivers often are so busy putting others first that it can cause them to feel increased stress and burnout. Some of the reasons for caregiver fatigue are not always the most obvious either.
