A Caregiver’s Guide to Arthritis: Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

A danger or caregiving, whether you are a spouse or grown child caring for a parent, is offering care at your own physical and emotional expense. You are no help to your family member if you are burned out. Below are tips for managing caregiver stress and fatigue.

Take time to exercise. Exercise is not only essential to maintain the physical stamina you need to care for your spouse or family member, but also provides a bread in your day. And the endorphins-feel-good hormones-that exercise induces will also help boost spirits that can get a beating as a caregiver.

Ask for help. Don’t hesitate to ask other family and friends to share your care-taking duties. Disperse tasks like driving to doctors’ appointments or picking up prescriptions. You don’t have to do everything. If no one is available, consider hiring regular help that can offer you a chance for a respite. Talk to other friends and acquaintances who have also been caregivers, or join a caregiver’s support group where you can get empathy and information.

Check employer benefits. Your employer may offer a plan that helps families who are caring for loved ones.

Monitor your won spirits. It’s not unusual for caregivers to become depressed from stress, exhaustion, and from seeing someone they love in pain. If you feel blue for two weeks or longer, ask your doctor if you could be depressed and what remedies such as antidepressants he might suggest.

Stay social. Isolation is a difficulty for caregivers. Schedule regular outings with friends, even if they are brief.

Get a handle on finances. Money may be an issue. Talk about who will be responsible for what costs with your parent and siblings.

Enlist other family. Talk to other family members about how they would like to help. Try to be realistic about what you can manage and what others need to help you with.