Family caregivers often forget about caregiving for themselves and may suffer from physical, emotional, and mental health issues due to how much responsibility they carry. It’s never too late to take steps to care of yourself as you take care of someone you love. If you are reaching the point of caregiver burnout, these 10 tips, as well as respite from companion care at home, can help.

Signs that You May Be Overwhelmed

Being overwhelmed by burning the candle on both ends as you care for your elderly loved one as well as your family, yourself, and your career can look different for everyone. Here are some key signs to watch for if you think you might be overwhelmed and about to burn out.

• You’re struggling with sleep. Either not getting enough or too much.
• You don’t enjoy things you used to love.
• Your emotions feel out of control. You are snapping at people or crying for no reason.
• You’ve lost touch with important people in your life.
• You’re exhausted all of the time.
• You are forgetting important dates and events.

Start Your Journey to Self-Care

It doesn’t have to be a grand event you set up for self-care. It can be small things that provide you the opportunity to focus on yourself for a bit, breathe, and relax. Here are ten simple ways to start.

1. Drink your water! It may seem basic, but being hydrated is key. Want to pamper yourself, make one of those “water” breaks, a coffee or tea break, and enjoy it all by yourself (even if that’s just sitting in the car).
2. Eat well. Take time to meal prep so your week isn’t spent consuming fast food as you run from one place to the other.
3. Get active. You don’t have to join a gym or a rumba group, just go out for a walk or bike ride.
4. Put something not caregiving-related on your calendar each week and stick to it. It can be an hour to catch up on your favorite show or go to the local library, find a quiet corner, and read a book.
5. Practice meditation. Find an app on your phone that will teach you breathing exercises or join a yoga group.
6. Make sleep a priority. Develop some good bedtime routines to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Make a goal of getting at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
7. Don’t skip wellness visits. Just because you feel generally fine, don’t skip those scheduled annual or semi-annual care appointments. You wouldn’t let your loved one skip hers so don’t let yourself skip yours either.
8. Treat yourself with kindness. Treat yourself with the same grace you give everyone else and forgive any mistakes made.
9. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends, family, and local organizations for help when you need it.
10. Take a break. Consider having a companion care at home provider be a regular part of your loved one’s week. A companion care at home provider can stop by regularly to give you a needed break. Your companion care at home provider may play games with your loved one, go for a walk with them, or just sit and spend time with them so you can take a needed break.

Taking care of yourself as well as an aging parent is a difficult balance to strike. With these tips and support from companion care at home, you can avoid caregiver burnout and be there when your parent needs you the most.

Reference
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/caregiver-recognizing-burnout

If you or an aging loved one are considering companion care at home in Dunwoody, GA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands – Serving Forsyth and North Fulton County today at (770) 744-3928.

Assisting Hands – Serving Forsyth and North Fulton County provides exceptional home care in Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Cumming, Gainesville, Suwanee and the surrounding areas in Georgia.