Tips for Caring for the Caregiver

Caregiving can be one of the most rewarding professions and it is certainly a calling for many, but it can take a toll. At a recent support group meeting, one member talked to us about “Compassion Fatigue.” Compassion Fatigue is when a person has a multitude of stressors or challenges that one after another, tire out the person being affected.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging has resources available to help out caregivers looking for guidance. Being a caregiver in a home, as a family member, or in a senior living community all come with unique perspectives on how caregiving can be both mentally and physically exhausting.

Check out there website to learn more about Caregiver’s 5 Steps to Self-Care to find tools on how to cope with these issues.

It’s important to take care of yourself, so you can better take care of others. Often caregivers can exhaust their ability to properly care for others when they are overly tired or mentally spent. When this happens, the patient can be exposed to situations that are not in their best interest. It may be time to consider other options including a structured in-home care program or a community-base setting for assisted living, memory care or skilled care where ample help is available.

Know your options, but also know the warning signs to caregiving burnout. Do you need help caring for a loved one?

Please reach out, we can offer help you and your loved ones. Let’s get you back on track for caring for yourself and improving your quality of life.