The holidays are a special time for families and friends to come together. From decorating the house to organising social gatherings, as well as shopping for gifts – all while caring for an aging loved one – at best, life can become a little overwhelming – fast.
It takes a special type of person to become a Carer – for some, it’s their absolute vocation in life, a Home Care Assistance Care Worker – whereas for others, it’s caring for an aging family member, which sees families buckling under the pressure that comes with it. Home Care Assistance offer a reprieve for family Carers, taking over in home care and support your loved one continue to depend on while you take some well deserved time out to recharge so that you can be at your best.
Caregivers will almost always put the needs of the person they are caring for above their own, especially when it’s their mother, father or other close relation with little to no regard for their own emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing. It is therefore important that as a Carer, you take care of your own mental and physical health and know that it’s okay for you to do so. The thing is, that when you are physically and mentally healthy, you can provide better care. Taking care of others day in and day out with no respite, can lead to chronic stress and stress-related illness – or ultimately burnout – ‘caregiver burnout’. So, what is it and how do you manage it?
‘Caregiver burnout’ is fundamentally a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion which ultimately plays out as fatigue, stress, anxiety, frustration, depression, insomnia, socially withdrawing and irritability to name a few. It may be accompanied by a change in attitude, from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned – it can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able to, both physically and mentally. It goes without saying that many caregivers feel guilty if they spend time on themselves rather than on their ill or elderly loved ones, which is where things can start to unravel.
At Home Care Assistance, we are here to help families in need of caring for elderly family members who require more support than they are physically and mentally able to give. We offer a number of care service packages1 and have highly experienced Care Workers who are thoroughly trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, post-hospitalisation care, healthy cooking techniques, and more – personally committed to the individuals and families they serve. We offer a robust roster of Care Workers with diverse experience, skills, personalities and credentials. We are able to expertly match the right Care Worker to each person’s unique needs and preferences, and manage our Care Workers employment insurance, taxes and workers’ compensation, so you don’t have to.
Our Client Care Managers oversee individuals’ care, ensuring the highest standard of professionalism from all members of the care team. They work directly with families to make sure that you and your loved ones are happy over the entire course of our service, perform a comprehensive in-person evaluation and create a care plan that will best serve the needs of the individual. Our Client Care Managers can also coordinate health care professionals and maintain clear lines of communication to the family.
When it comes to ‘caregiver burnout’, identifying and addressing the signs immediately is key. Seek medical help for stress and depression as a first step. Talk to someone professionally or to someone you trust – go for counselling. Find constructive ways to manage your stress and stay mentally healthy – practice relaxation. Seek respite – don’t be afraid to ask for help. At Home Care Assistance, we are here to support you.
References
1https://www.homecareassistance.com.au/care-services/
