health matters
CAREGIVER ROLE STRAIN As family dynamics, relationships, and situations change, many individuals care for family members. This caring may involve providing the medical and non- medicalrelated needs of an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, an aging relative, a neighbor, or a friend. Caregiving can creep up on you. It may begin as dropping off a meal at someone's home, doing the laundry for your mother, or taking your dad to a doctor's appointment. You find yourself doing the grocery shopping and refilling prescriptions. Gradually, you are doing more and more. At some point, you realize you have committed to taking care of someone else. Sometimes, caregiving is triggered by a significant health event, such as a stroke, heart attack, or accident. Maybe you suddenly realize that dad's memory lapses have become dangerous. Life as you know it stops, and all your energy goes to caring for your loved one. Caregiving has become your new career, and you adjust to a new normal. Although the caregiving role may be rewarding, it may also come with new and unique stressors. Caregivers may have jobs, child care, and family responsibilities coupled with the need to care for another. Caring for another can add pressure and strain to an already hectic and complicated life. The demands on a caregiver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue, hopelessness, and ultimately burnout. It can be particularly disheartening to see a loved one continue to deteriorate despite best care efforts. Caregiver role strain occurs when the caregiver feels they can no longer adequately carry out their responsibilities. Physical symptoms of fatigue, insomnia or excessive sleep, irritability, social withdrawal, concentration, frequent bouts of crying, and engaging in unhealthy coping methods such as alcohol and drug abuse may appear. Caregivers need to take care of themselves. Think about the emergency directions given on an airplane. Instructions are given to apply the oxygen mask to ourselves first 32 December 2021
before administering oxygen to others. When you care for yourself, you have the energy, focus, patience, and more to be a better caregiver. Take the effort to exercise frequently, eat balanced meals, work on hobbies and visit with friends. To help manage caregiver stress and feelings of being overwhelmed, do not refuse help from others. Small acts of kindness such as running errands, sitting with your loved one can provide welcomed support to the caregiver. Be prepared with a list of ways that others can help you, and let the helper choose what he or she would like to do. Focus on what you are able to provide. It's normal to feel guilty sometimes, but understand that no one is "perfect". Do the best that you can. Consider joining a support group. Groups are available online and in person. Group members can offer a safe space to share your feelings with people that will understand your situation. Support groups can provide access to resources. A support group can also be a good place to create meaningful friendships. Many caregivers have issues with sleeping. Not getting quality sleep over a long period of time can cause health issues. If you have trouble getting a good night's sleep, talk to your doctor. Plan to take a break. It may be hard to imagine leaving your loved one in someone else's care, but taking a break can be one of the best things you do for yourself as well as the person you're caring for. Assistance from home health care aides can relieve the caregiver of many daily tasks. Adult day care centers are available in many communities that provide safe care and social activities to keep your loved one engaged. While caring for a loved one will never be stress-free, implement strategies to help avoid the symptoms of caregiver burnout, and that put more balance in your life. Do not neglect your own physical and emotional needs. Getting information and training to build your confidence in the many tasks you perform. Seek support and information online on diseasespecific websites. Talk to your medical providers, state agencies on aging. The end Dr. Denyce Watties-Daniels of burnout and role strain Assistant Professor at Coppin State University begins with saying, “I need DWatties-Daniels@coppin.edu help.” healthytips025@gmail.com
