When you’re a caregiver, your life takes a backseat to prioritize the health of your loved one.
You make plenty of sacrifices that aren’t always acknowledged.
Taking care of others means you open yourself up to plenty of heartache and the potential of burnout.
Caregiving is a full-time job that demands so much of your time and attention and can take an emotional toll if not kept in check.
Taking care of yourself is just as essential as caring for your loved one who has special needs.
The Essentials of Caring for a Loved One
Sometimes, caregivers have to displace parts of their lives to accommodate their new roles. Around 40% of all caregivers experience stress and some level of burnout.
It’s a tough job, and only people with huge hearts can take on this role.
Basic Hygiene
In some cases, you might have to care for your loved one physically. Changing their clothes, bathing them and feeding them might take a toll on your mental state.
It can be a bit distressing to see your loved one’s health deteriorate to that degree, so it’s essential to take care of yourself while ensuring the basic needs of your loved one are met.
Stimulating Activities
Going for a walk with your loved one can help them see new things and allow them to get their exercise.
As long as they can handle a little light exercise, walks are excellent ways to get out of the house and breathe some fresh air.
You can also use brain teasers and other puzzle games to keep their mind active, especially if your loved one is older.
If you opt for a puzzle in the form of a toy, make sure it suits their needs and can be used alongside any equipment they require.
Ensuring their activities are accessible to them can save you both plenty of difficulties.
Staying Informed
Continuous research is essential to fully understand your loved one’s condition and ensure you provide the right kind and level of care.
Knowing the latest developments can help you learn if there is another form of care you can give or a new treatment you can try, depending on your loved one’s condition.
Empathy and Compassion
Dealing with a loved one during a mood swing or outburst can require ample patience.
You must be empathetic, trying to see the situation from their point of view even if you don’t understand why they feel the way they do.
You should also strive to move forward with productive steps to keep your loved one active and alert.
Ways to Care for Yourself While Caring for Others
Understandably, all that you must do to care for your loved one can drain you, both mentally and physically. It’s essential to take care of yourself so you avoid burnout.
This could lead to resentment or negative feelings, and you want to avoid that at all costs.
Do Something You Enjoy
After helping your loved one get to bed, take some time to do something for yourself.
Don’t worry about cleaning your house or getting things prepared for the next day.
Just focus on doing something you want to do for an hour or so. This can refresh you for another day of caregiving.
Bond With Others
You can find support and empathy in groups for caregivers.
You can meet other people with similar experiences who can empathize with you and provide tips on handling certain situations.
You should also reach out to people who aren’t caregivers.
While caregiving may be a considerable part of your life, that doesn’t mean everything you do needs to revolve around it. Make time to go out with friends who are understanding of your situation.
Take a Break
See if you can have a day or weekend to yourself by asking a family member or friend your loved one knows to take care of them.
Taking breaks is essential to avoiding burnout. If you start feeling hopeless or empty, you could be dangerously close to it.
Mind Your Health
You may be so focused on your loved one that you may forget to make appointments for yourself. Try to keep up with your yearly checkups and dental visits.
Make sure you stay in optimal health so you can care for your loved one without any issues.
Ask for Help
Even if you need to work in shifts with someone else, you can break up the level of care you have to offer to your loved one.
By pulling someone else in, you can care for your loved one in alternating shifts so you can both have breaks.
Sharing the work might be the ideal solution to avoiding burnout.
Caring for a Loved One Is Hard Work
Don’t let anyone trivialize the work you do.
Caring for another person, especially an adult loved one with special needs, is exceptionally difficult and requires physical and emotional strength.
While you’re caring for them, you should also look out for yourself.
Burnout can be detrimental in many ways, and the last thing you want when caring for your loved one is to feel like you can’t offer the level of care they need.
Remain positive but stay realistic — and take care of yourself.