PREVENT BURNNOUT

As the population ages, more caregiving is provided by people who are not health care professionals. Approximately one-third of adults in the United States provide care to other adults as unpaid caregivers.

The demands of caring for an elderly parent, an aging spouse, or disabled child can result in a great deal of stress. If caregivers aren’t careful, they can jeopardize their own health and well-being.

There are steps you can take to limit caregiver stress and, also, reclaim a sense of balance, joy, and hope in your life. By learning to recognize the signs of caregiver stress, you can prevent things from becoming worse. Here are a few red flags to watch for:

• Anxiety, depression, or irritability

• Feeling tired and run down

• Problems sleeping

• Overreacting to minor nuisances

• New or worsening health challenges

• Difficulty staying focused

• Neglecting personal responsibilities

• You struggle to relax when given the opportunity

• You are increasingly irritated or impatient with the person you are caring for or others

While caring for a loved one will never be stressfree, these tips can help you avoid the symptoms of caregiver burnout and find more balance in your life.

Practice Acceptance

When faced with the burden of caregiving, you may feel the need to make sense of the situation and ask, “Why?” You can spend a tremendous amount of energy dwelling on things you can’t change. Aim to avoid the emotional trap of feeling sorry for yourself.

Look for the Silver Lining

Stop and think about how caregiving has made you stronger, or how your relationship with the person you are caring for has grown. Concentrate on the positive reasons behind your choice to become a caregiver.

Say “Yes” to Help

Do not be shy about accepting assistance from others, when experiencing caregiver stress and burnout. Make a list of small tasks that others can help you with, and let the helper choose what they feel comfortable doing.

Learn to Set Boundaries

You are human, and you cannot be everything to everybody. Say “no” to requests that are draining and stressful, such as hosting or planning a family event.

Take Care of Your Own Health

Those who provide care for a loved one tend to experience high chronic stress and skimp on selfcare—factors that raise the risk for many illnesses. Exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep are all important in coping with caregiver stress.

Beverage Club

Honey Deuce

Ingredients

Crushed ice

3 oz. lemonade

1 1/4 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. raspberry liqueur

Honeydew, for garnish

Directions Fill a Collins glass with crushed ice. Top with lemonade, vodka, and raspberry liqueur and gently stir to combine. Using a melon baller, scoop 3 balls of honeydew and slide them onto a skewer.

Top drink with skewered melon balls.

Summer Shandy

Ingredients

2 lemons, thinly sliced

2 limes, thinly sliced (save a few slices for garnish)

1 apple, sliced

1 c. blueberries

1 (12-oz.) can ginger beer

2 (12-oz.) bottles wheat beer (like Hoegaarden)

1 c. lemonade

1/2 c. seltzer

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher (or a large bowl) and stir. Chill for 2 hours, or until cold. Serve with lime slices for garnish.

Crossword Solution

FROM PAGE 37

BLUEBERRY GINN & TONIC

Ingredients

1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tbsp. water

Ice 3 oz. gin

12 oz. tonic water

Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring blueberries, granulated sugar, and water to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until most blueberries have burst, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate until chilled. Divide 4 tbsp. blueberry syrup between 2 ice-filled glasses. Add gin and top with tonic water. Add more blueberry syrup or tonic water to taste. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Flashback Answers

From

1. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, in 1972. The Recording Industry Association of America designated it a Song of the Century, ranking it up there with “The Tennessee Waltz” and “Tom Dooley.”

2. The Beatles. Brian Epstein managed both groups. Lennon and McCartney even gave Kramer some of their songs to record when they weren’t right for the Beatles.

3. Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose, in 1972. The song was written by one of the brothers, Eddie, and topped the Cashbox chart.

4. The Righteous Brothers, in 1963.

5. “Stuck On You,” by Elvis Presley in 1960. The song climbed charts around the globe and even took the top spot away from “Theme From a Summer Place,” which had stayed at No. 1 for nine weeks.