Stress Busting for Caregivers

During the pandemic, family caregivers increased their role. Many hours have been spent by caring relatives and friends in keeping older loved ones safe, whether it’s by providing hands-on care, giving transportation, shopping on their behalf, or doing what they can to support the elderly in senior living communities during quarantine. As things transitioned from in-person to online as well, they’ve also been providing tech support and crash courses in the internet and smart devices, helping their older friends and relatives to get the hang of online socializing and shopping.

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, most Americans will become caregivers at some point in their life, either for short-term or long-term. In fact, 80% of all the long-term care provided in this country is done by family members, and yet many of them feel unprepared for their role, and many more still are providing care with little or no support at all.

Most family caregivers will have other responsibilities, of course. Many have jobs, children of their own, or more than one elderly relative to care for. This makes the likelihood that the caregivers own needs will be placed on the back burner and go neglected. The Family Caregiver Alliance reports that more than one-third of caregivers are dealing with health challenges of their own.

Caregiving can be very stressful. For caregivers, it is very important to create a plan of action for reducing the amount of stress in your life. Taking action proactively, as opposed to ignoring stress or allowing yourself to fall into a feeling of hopelessness, will help you to be better prepared to deal with the challenges of your life and the impact that caregiving has on it.

Always remember to take care of yourself. Studies show that family caregivers will often neglect their own health care appointments, fail to eat well, or get less than the recommended amount of exercise. Always remember that not only will you be happier and healthier if you tend to your own physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs, but you’ll also be a better caregiver. Caring for yourself is an important part of caring for those you love.

While the duties of caregiving in addition to the tasks of your own life will surely be a burden on the amount of time you have in a day, carving out some time for yourself is one of the best things you can do. You need to be healthy, alert, and present in order to be an effective caregiver, which means you need to take time now and again for your own happiness and hobbies.

Most caregivers certainly want to do all they can to provide good care for their loved one, but everyone has limits. Let your loved one know the times you’re willing and able to provide aid, and stick to an established schedule. If something comes up to alter the schedule, let your loved one know and, if able, help them to find an alternate source of assistance.