Caregiver, Love Thyself

The challenges of caring for elders can result in caregivers ignoring their own physical and emotional health.

It's imperative that the caregiver cares for him or herself in order to best care for their loved one.

Being a caregiver is stressful enough, but what makes it hard is that it is a full-time job. For some people, it’s not even the “hours” you spend caring for your elder that makes it full-time, but the fact that you are always thinking about it; always on-call.

Effects of Caregiving on Health and Wellbeing

You've heard this before: "My husband is the one with Alzheimer's, but now I'm the one that is getting sick all of the time." This, and similar situations, are so very common.

Did you know that, if you are a caregiving spouse between the ages of 66 and 96, you may be experiencing mental or emotional strain. In this case, you have a risk of dying that is over 50% higher than that of people your age who are not caregivers. The combination of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving, and the biological vulnerabilities that come with age place you at risk for significant health problems as well as an earlier death.

Older caregivers are not the only ones who put their health and well being at risk. Perhaps you are a baby boomer has found yourself in a caregiver role for your parents while also trying to juggle work and raise adolescent children. If this describes you, you are probably facing an increased risk for depression, chronic illness and a possible decline in quality of life.

Regardless of age, sex, and race and ethnicity, caregivers report challenges in taking care of their own health and well-being while managing their caregiving responsibilities. They may experience:

• sleep deprivation
• poor eating habits
• failure to exercise regularly
• failure to stay in bed when they're sick
• postponement of or failure to make medical appointments for themselves

Family caregivers also increase their risk for depression and over-use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Caregivers are often on an emotional roller coaster. On one hand, caring for your family member is a tangible way to show your love and commitment and is probably a very rewarding personal experience. On the other hand, exhaustion, worry, inadequate resources and continuous care demands are incredibly stressful.

Whether it's just a few hours each week to run errands or a few weeks each year to take a much-needed vacation, don't feel guilty about carving out some time to keep your own life in balance.

Consider scheduling in-home care for just a few hours each week so that you can have that time to do something for yourself.

For more on this topic, read "Taking Care of YOU" - on Caregiver.org

Happy at Home, is a licensed home health care agency.

Our aides are certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All employees are screened, insured, bonded, and have undergone thorough background reviews. Learn about our caregiver services.

Our pledge to treat your loved ones with the grace and dignity they deserve is what truly separates Happy at Home from the competition.

Happy at Home, LLC | www.happyathomellc.com | reachout@happyathomellc.com | 781-205-2105