Sage Advice: Caring for a Loved One? The Biggest Risk to Their Health May Be You

One out of five adults in the U.S. is currently providing care and assistance to a loved one who is facing the challenges that come with chronic illness, disability and aging.

While family caregivers help provide the needed support for a loved one who could not manage on their own, many family caregivers fail to acknowledge the impact of dedicating time, emotions and energy to their caregiving responsibilities, thereby potentially putting themselves and the care receiver at risk.

If you manage or provide direct assistance to a loved one who needs help with day-to-day activities because of a chronic condition, cognitive limitations, or aging…you are a family caregiver.  Acknowledging your role, being open to solutions and understanding that seeking help is in the best interest of you and your loved one, are important steps toward re-establishing a quality of life for all.

You are a family caregiver if you provide Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as helping your care recipient with getting in and out of the bed and chairs, dressing, getting to and from the toilet, bathing, dealing with incontinence or diapers, and feeding.

You are also a family caregiver if you provide Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) such as providing transportation, housework, grocery shopping, preparing meals, arranging for outside services, managing finances, and giving medications.

Getting support and having a healthy mind, body, and spirit are important in maintaining a rewarding caregiving relationship that benefits both the care receiver and caregiver. Signs that point to caregiver burnout may include appetite changes such as eating too much or too little. Depression may be evidenced by feelings of hopelessness or isolation, lack of energy, trouble sleeping and edginess.  Signs of burnout may also include excessive use of alcohol or medications, impatient or neglectful treatment of the person for whom you are caring, difficulty concentrating, and missing appointments. 

To help family caregivers gain needed information about resources, self-care and tips on caring for a loved one,the National Family Caregiver's Association and the National Alliance for Caregiving  have partnered to create a free website known as Family Caregiving 101.org   with generous financial support from Eisai, Inc.

The website is easy-to-use and includes helpful checklists as well as tip sheets on how to improve communication with health care professionals.

Visit the site at www.familycaregiving.org

Do a favor for the one you love and yourself : Take care of yourself.