How do I find help as a caregiver?
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 75 million Americans serve as caregivers for elderly and disabled individuals. As a friend, family member, neighbor, or a paid caregiver, you shoulder a heavy burden and provide invaluable help for someone in need, but where can a caregiver find help when you’re the one in need?
From burnout and exhaustion to anxiety and depression, caregivers bear many difficulties. You don’t have to endure them alone. There are resources to help you cope with loss, grief, and other concerns. Read on to find out how to find help for caregivers.
READ MORE: Processing Grief – How to Find Your New Normal After Someone You Care for Dies
Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
Prolonged periods of mental, physical, and emotional duress referred to as caregiver burnout may follow the loss of a loved one, or be the result of excessive stress or emotional turmoil. Caregiver burnout is a serious condition that can be accompanied by anxiety, depression, and even physical illness. If you believe you are experiencing caregiver burnout, seek medical help or counseling as soon as possible.
SCHEDULE A TIME TO SPEAK WITH A CAREGIVER COUNSELOR
How to Ask for Help as a Caregiver – Resources for Caregivers
Do not be afraid to reach out to others for help. From therapists who specialize in providing help for caregivers to friends and family, there are several ways to reach out for support.
Ask Family Members and Friends for Help
If you are a family caregiver, consider other family members and family friends who may be able to help with meal prep, providing companionship, or completing household tasks while you rest or take some time for self-care.
Self-Care for Caregivers
Self-care is vital for caregivers if they hope to avoid burnout. Because of the physical and emotional toll caregivers and family caregivers experience, vacations, retreats, massages, or spa days provide time to decompress. If friends and family are unable to help care for your loved one during your time of self-care, take advantage of respite care programs.
How to Give Caregivers a Break
Sometimes a gesture as simple as a prepared meal or a helping hand can ease the burden of a caregiver. Some caregivers may feel comfortable asking for help, while others may feel as though asking for help would be a burden to their loved ones. If there is a caregiver in your life, chances are he or she could use a helping hand. Caregivers are expected to fulfill a variety of functions, and the work of caring for an elderly or disabled adult can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
READ MORE: How to Support Caregivers
Check In and Offer to Help
Checking in periodically can provide an outlet for caregivers feeling lonely or isolated. Human connection and interaction are beneficial for both caregivers and their patients. Stopping by with a meal, a board game, book, or offering to help with housekeeping duties and other chores can bring much-needed rest and relief for exhausted caregivers.
The CareLink Difference
If you or a loved one are in need of resources for caregivers in Central Arkansas, CareLink offers several programs and resources to help alleviate the burdens of caregiving. From food delivery to in-home respite care, CareLink seeks to help provide caregivers with the necessary tools to care for themselves and others.
CareLink supports caregivers through:
