9 Important Tips To Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Looking after a special needs child, spouse, or an elder with a chronic illness can leave one run out at times. It is very necessary for the caregiver to look after oneself and prevent a burnout. There are 9 important tips to avoid a caregiver’s burnout.

The 9 important tips to avoid a caregiver’s burnout:

1) Recharge by taking time for yourself everyday: You could take time for yourself to do something healthy; it could be yoga before breakfast, a 20 minute walk, pursuing a hobby or going for a movie. This would help reduce the stress and make you a better caregiver.

2) Know your limits and set your boundaries: You could never provide good care if you are overwhelmed or stressed; so first make a list of the tasks you do every day and brainstorm if someone else might be able to do it. Set your boundaries and learn when to say “NO” to better equip yourself to care for you and your family.  

3) It is a lifesaver sticking to routine: Routine helps you feel in control and lets the person cared for to know what to expect. This is especially necessary for caregiver’s of elders with dementia as it provides a security and helps them maintain their abilities.

4) Enlist the help of family, friends and neighbors: Even a few hours of break would help you recharge; besides family, friends, or neighbors you could also take the help of adult daycare centers that provides your loved one some social activity. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you where to find help, with hospice programs providing support for terminally ill people and their families. 

5) Join a support group for caregivers: You could join a support group related to your loved ones illness; full listings are available in the local Agency on Aging. You could also join an online community where you can connect with others to ask questions, vent frustrations and share ideas.  

6) Use technology as timers and reminders: You could buy pill boxes with alarm for the next dose or even invest in smart phone apps that send automated texts and phone calls to you when it is time for a medication. It would also help to use pill organizers that allow you to portion pills in little drawers by day, meal or hour.

7) Turn on some music and do some art: You could have some fun shared moments with putting on familiar music and doing some simple and safe art like painting or making a collage from magazines. This could bring back past memories and also work as a stress reliever for both of you. 

8) Let a well-trained cat or dog assist: A visit by a well trained cat or dog could soothe elders and the sick at home; animals have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and make elders alert. This could make the caregiver happier.

9) Make sure you get enough sleep: This helps you keep healthy; it would help to do relaxation exercises such a deep breathing. If your loved one does not sleep at night, manage to take naps during daytime. You could also employ a caregiver or take the help of friends and relatives to substitute during the night. 

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