Home Caregivers May Suffer from

Home Caregivers May Suffer from Compassion Fatigue

By BARRY SPARKS

As the population continues to age and the cost of senior living facilities and in-home care rises, more family members are becoming caregivers.

Most American adults say a family member is caring for their aging parent, who needs help handling their affairs or caring for themselves. These family members are called informal caregivers, and they are not paid for their services.

According to the Bureau of National Labor Statistics, there are 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States.

Most home caregivers love the person they are caring for. They often believe their love is limitless. Although they typically lack previous experience, they assume the role of caregiver in order to help.

Many, however, will experience compassion fatigue, a term unfamiliar to them.

“Compassion fatigue is a secondary traumatic stress disorder, which occurs when the caregiver accepts the trauma of the other person and takes it on as their own,” says Lois Polcha, Duncannon, Pennsylvania, a licensed social worker and PennCares trainer for compassion fatigue.

“That creates high levels of emotional stress, indifference, and overall disinterest in other people’s problems. It’s very similar to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

Polcha says compassion fatigue is different from burnout. She says burnout is about being worn out and emerges over time. Burnout is typically linked to specific conditions and stressors in the work and/or home environment. It can be resolved by making changes in one’s situation.

People suffering from compassion fatigue, however, can’t separate themselves from the problem.

“Unfortunately, most home caregivers don’t realize when they are suffering from compassion fatigue,” says Polcha. “In addition to unawareness, there is also denial.”

According to the Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project, “Denial is one of the most detrimental symptoms because it prevents those who are experiencing compassion fatigue from accurately assessing how fatigued and stressed they actually are, which prevents them from seeking help.”

Polcha recommends home caregivers take an assessment test online called ProQOL. It provides a snapshot of where the home caregiver is in regards to compassion fatigue.

• Feeling burdened by the suffering of others • Blaming others for their suffering • Isolating yourself • Loss of pleasure in life • Insomnia • Bottling up your emotions • Feelings of hopelessness or powerlessness • Poor self-care • Denial • Excessive use of alcohol or drugs

Once you realize you are in the throes of compassion fatigue, it’s important to ask for help. It is, however, one of the most difficult things for caregivers.

“People want to help, but you need to let them know how they can help,” says Polcha. “Do you need someone to go grocery shopping or do you need a morning off? Unfortunately, many caregivers think they just have to buck up and carry on.”

By the time most people have reached the compassion fatigue stage, they have begun to neglect their own self-care.

“There’s a natural tendency not to care for yourself when you are caring for others,” she says. “But, ignoring yourself can have a negative impact on your patient.”

Polcha suggests home caregivers find ways to incorporate self-care into their daily activities. It may be making time for meditation, prayer, or yoga or establishing time to decompress after work by journaling, deep breathing, or reflection.

Changing your perspective and being grateful are two other ways to combat compassion fatigue.

“Look for the positives instead of the negatives,” offers Polcha. “Avoid the ‘woe is me’ attitude, and don’t be a martyr. Find things, small and large, to be grateful for.”

Other suggestions to prevent compassion fatigue include: show compassion to yourself by being kind, soothing, and comforting to yourself; develop a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get restful sleep; and develop positive coping strategies.

Dr. Beth Hundall Stamm, who developed the ProQOL compassion-fatigue assessment tool, says that through awareness and healthy self-care, those who experience compassion fatigue can start to understand the complexity of the emotions they’ve been juggling and, most likely, suppressing.

She recommends the following for those suffering from compassion fatigue:

• Enhance your awareness with education • Accept where you are on your path at all times • Exchange information and feelings with people who can validate you • Clarify your personal boundaries — what works for you and what doesn’t • Take positive action to change your environment

“The good news is that compassion fatigue isn’t terminal,” stresses Polcha. “You may have lost your compassion, but you can get it back. It’s important to remember that other people have recovered from compassion fatigue.”

Although home caregivers aren’t professionals, they bring important attributes to the job.

“Caregiving can be taught, but love is the most important element,” comments Polcha. “By being aware of compassion fatigue, taking steps to prevent it, and developing a self-care plan, you can be the best caregiver you can be.” Bathing & Dressing Assistance Grooming • Assistance with Walking • Medication Reminders • Errands • Shopping Light Housekeeping • Meal Preparation • Friendly Companionship • Flexible Hourly Care • Respite Care for Families

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