WEIGHT LOSS WOES

CAREGIVER BURNOUT?

SOMETIMES ALL WE NEED IS A CHANGE

Lori Gonzalez, Ph.D.

Caring for an aging loved one got you down? As one of the 42 million people in the U.S. providing care to someone who is 50 years or older, you may have experienced the added stress of caring during the COVID-19 pandemic. How about a caregiving relationship makeover? Culture Change is a dynamic shift in how care is provided. It reimagines the relationship between caregiver and care recipient as being a care partnership--driven primarily by the person receiving care’s wishes, values, and self-determination. In this relationship, care recipients are called, “Elders,” an empowering status earned through the wisdom gained during a lifetime or due to a unique set of experiences. The care partnership recognizes that both partners bring to the table special qualities, experiences, and abilities to be shared and that the partner giving care strives to empower an Elder to engage in meaningful activity, maintain dignity and privacy, and to direct the day-to-day ongoings of their lives while fulfilling human and spiritual needs. How do you begin your Culture Change journey? Start by acknowledging that even small, simple changes can have an incredible impact. Begin by asking the Elder for a list of things that are important to them and for a few changes in their daily routine they’d like to see. You might be surprised to learn that they’d like to wake up later each morning, perhaps giving you the opportunity to relax over a cup of coffee or a chance to get the children ready for school. Ask Elders what they truly enjoy in life and try to engage them in meaningful activity. This could mean spending time outdoors, learning a new hobby, or a new language. Ask for help and take breaks to avoid burnout. Make a list of the things in the care partnership that bring you joy and meaning. With a few small changes, you and your Elder can emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.