Caring for someone, when they can no longer care for themselves, is a full time job. But who’s caring for the caregiver?
Many times, a caregiver has no one to relieve them of their duties. A great number of caregivers are older, or elderly, caring for a spouse. They are “on duty” from the moment they wake up, until the person they’re caring for goes to bed at night. Even then, their job may not be done. Many people being cared for (especially dementia patients) wake up multiple times per night, every night. This makes for very little rest for the person taking care of them.
Caregivers need to be proactive in taking care of themselves. They need to seek out friends, family members, or organizations able to help.
Are you a caregiver? Do you have someone you can reach out to for assistance? Maybe a friend who can come to the house and watch your loved one, while you slip out and take a break. You need to make yourself a priority.
There are adult daycare centers you can utilize, in order to get a few hours of respite. Your loved one is dependent on you, and you’ll be no good to them if you are suffering from burnout, or become sick.
Hold a family meeting. Let everyone know how you’re feeling, and ask for help. Try to set up a schedule where other family members drop by and help out.
Help comes in many forms. Perhaps someone can pay to have your house cleaned. That would be a tremendous help. Someone else could make meals and deliver them to you, or order them from someplace to be delivered. Let someone do the grocery shopping, pick up your dry cleaning. Any help at all will ease some of your burden.
Let your friends and family know how hard it is to be a full time caregiver. Tell them what an average day in your life looks like. Invite them to come over and spend time with you. Even if they just sit with you for a while, the company will do you good. Let them experience, first-hand, what being a caregiver entails.
Be firm. Let everyone know you can no longer do this by yourself and you need help. Tell them you need to start taking better care of yourself, and you need them to step up.
Who takes care of the caregiver? You do! Sadly, it’s up to the caregiver to take care of themselves. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
