Cowichan Valley Citizen

May 28, 2008

Caring for the caregiver: avoiding caregiver burnout

As our population continues to age, more and more individuals are thrust into caregiving roles.

Nationally, almost one-quarter of households are now involved in caring for a senior family member, spending an average of 20 hours per week performing caregiving duties.

Locally, as nearly 18 per cent of Cowichan Valley residents are seniors, we can be sure that a significant portion of our population is involved in the care of their aging family members.

What's more is that the majority of these caregivers are also employed outside the home, further increasing their stress levels.

Balancing commitments to work and aging loved ones can be an extremely trying ordeal and in many situations leads to what is known as 'caregiver burnout,' a condition involving fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression.

While these caregivers are doing their best to take care of their aging loved ones, many tend to forget to care for themselves. "Most caregivers who struggle with the stresses of their duties tend to feel guilty even for simply complaining," says Chris Wilkinson, owner of the Cowichan Valley Nurse Next Door franchise. "But as a caregiver you owe it to yourself to be happy and healthy.

"A caregiver suffering from burnout may actually be doing a disservice to both themselves and the loved one they are taking care of."

To help caregivers better handle the stresses of their roles and to avoid suffering a burnout, Wilkinson outlines a few suggestions:

- ENJOY YOURSELF

While this may sound like a pretty obvious suggestion, Wilkinson points out that is the most-often overlooked suggestion. He encourages caregivers to make time for the activities they enjoy. Whatever it may be, listening to music, watching a movie, reading a book, Wilkinson points out that it is imperative for caregivers to treat themselves. "If you're caring for your mom or dad, it's really easy to feel like your time would be better spent caring for them, but it is important to realize that caring for yourself is just as important," he says.

- STAY HEALTHY

The happiest people are usually the healthiest and those who eat well and exercise tend to handle stress the best. With that in mind, Wilkinson suggests that caregivers make it a point to develop a healthy diet and a regular exercise schedule to ensure they maintain a good quality of life. "Eating right and exercising regularly go a long ways in helping to balance the stresses a caregiver faces," says Wilkinson.

- SOCIALIZE

"One of the most common symptoms of caregiver burnout is a withdrawal from friends and family," says Wilkinson. "Make time for outings with friends or family. If this isn't possible, invite them over to spend time at your house." Wilkinson says that sharing the caregiving load with close friends or other family members can not only ease the burden but can make the experience more enjoyable.

- GET HELP

According to Wilkinson, it is common for caregivers to feel that they should be the only ones shouldering the caregiving responsibilities yet it is crucial for them to utilize the resources available to them.

"Caregivers should try to include fellow family members to share in the duties as much as possible. This can offer the primary caregiver a much needed rest. Many caregivers also take advantage of our services to provide respite care or transportation," says Wilkinson.

For more information on Nurse Next Door, please visit www.nursenextdoor.com or call 748-4357.
Return to Press Room