5 Tips to Avoid Burn-Out for New Family Caregivers

5 Tips to Avoid Burn-Out for New Family Caregivers

 Maybe you became a caregiver gradually, or maybe you were thrust into the position by an older family member’s sudden medical emergency, whatever the case, here are some quick tips to ease you into your new caregiving duties.

 Create a Schedule:

 A tool, which has been tried and tested when it comes to managing caregiving duties, is the good old-fashioned schedule. It could be handwritten, done on your phone, or stored on your computer as a spreadsheet. However you decide to do it, a schedule is extremely useful. A schedule should include activities, which medications to take, dietary planning, and anything else you perform daily. The schedule can be hour-by-hour or portioned off into the morning, day, and night. Set goals you want to complete each day and you’ll see you’ll become much less frustrated with your loved one. Studies have shown that stimulating activities can help seniors stay healthy, both mentally and physically, for longer.  

 Beyond peace of mind for the caregiver, creating a schedule is especially helpful in monitoring a loved one’s health changes. Early detection can prevent bigger complications down the line. Also, a schedule can reduce daily changes in a person’s environment, which can be upsetting to an elderly person depending upon their condition.

 Fall-proof your loved one’s home:

 You may be moving into a loved one’s house or they may be moving into yours, but either way, it’s important to fall-proof the home to reduce the risk of falling. Be on the lookout for worn or loose carpeting and get rid of it or fix it immediately. Make sure there are no exposed cords and no clutter. In addition, installing grab bars in the entrance to the shower, non-slip mats on any floors that tend to get slippery, and adequate lighting throughout the house can all be beneficial. Dim areas, especially for someone who can’t see very well, can prove to be dangerous. If you regularly leave the house for an extended period of time, you may want to purchase a medical alert. With a medical alert, your loved one can immediately alert the authorities if they do happen to have an accident. See here to read about whether or not a medical alert fits your situation. Falls, especially when not dealt with quickly, can mean a quick reduction in quality of life for a person.

 Don’t be afraid to ask questions:

 If you are unsure about something, say the level of care your loved one may require, don’t hesitate to contact their doctor. Also, you can ask the patient himself/herself whether or not they feel you are doing enough. If you are caring for an aging relative don’t forget about the familiarity you’ve always shared with them even though you are in each other’s lives differently now. If you have specific concerns, don’t hesitate to call a social worker or a caregiving professional. Usually, a doctor can refer you to someone they trust.

 Know when it is time to make the transition into assisted living:

 We like to think we can do it all, but caring for a loved one can sometimes become too much.

If the person you are caring for has some form of memory impairment, especially in a more advanced case, and they begin to wander, it could be time to get help. You’d never leave a child unattended around a swimming pool, and similarly, people who begin to wander need constant supervision. Even a quick trip to the bathroom or a shower taken by the caregiver can prove to be disastrous for an elderly person who wanders. Once it becomes unsafe for the person being taken care of to remain in their own home, it’s time for a setting where they can receive 24-hour supervision.

 Find a Support Group:

 If your duties become overwhelming and you feel like you’re alone, remember that there are many online support groups with other people going through similar experiences. Support groups are helpful not only in finding like-minded people and relieving stress but in answering questions you may have about your new duties. Caregiving can be extremely rewarding for both people involved and many caregivers find that taking care of a loved one increases their personal value and self-esteem. 

 *** Written for Meridian Counseling by Max Gottlieb. Max is the content manager for Senior Planning, a free service intended to help seniors and their families navigate the often-complicated process of obtaining long-term care. Senior Planning helps seniors and the disabled find professional care, secure benefits, or move into age-related homes.