How You Can Support Your Members in Caregiving for Their Loved Ones—and Themselves
Approximately three million Canadians are caring for a family member or friend who is elderly, has chronic health conditions, or is disabled. Employees with caregiving responsibilities at home are most at risk for stress and burnout and can benefit from the expert support and resources we share here.
With this article, you can provide your members with the information they need to avoid becoming overwhelmed by their caregiving responsibilities.
Caregivers: How to Care for Your Loved Ones—and Yourself
Caregivers provide support to people whose health conditions restrict their ability to care for themselves. The elderly, those with chronic health conditions, or people with disabilities may need assistance with daily tasks and physical maintenance. While professional caregivers provide this type of support for a wage, there are also informal caregivers (e.g., family members, friends, or neighbours) who care for loved ones with no monetary compensation. In Canada, approximately three million people care for a family member or friend.
Managing multiple responsibilities can take its toll on you—physically and emotionally—but the secret to caregiver success is recognizing signs of stress early on or preventing it altogether. So how do you keep your stress in check? Keep reading to find out how to care for your loved ones—and yourself.
Caregiver burnout
Because informal caregivers are caring for a loved one, they may feel obligated to cope with the added stress without complaint. But keeping your stress to yourself can lead to caregiver burnout, also known as “compassion fatigue.” Burnout occurs when a caregiver experiences both physical and emotional exhaustion that comes from caring for a loved one. Generally, burnout occurs when care demands are high and lasting, or if the caregiver is taking care of multiple people (e.g., ageing parents and young children) at the same time.
If a caregiver’s needs continue to go unmet, they may become irritable, angry, resentful, and anxious. Caregivers need to understand that feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and scared is not unnatural or uncommon. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of burnout; however, as with any symptoms you may experience, make sure to consult your doctor for specific advice and recommendations.
Find some simple strategies for avoiding burnout and staying healthy in the Caregiver’s Support Guide or at the Living Lessons website, a Health Canada recommended caregiver resource.
Respite and day programs
If you need a break from your caregiving duties, there are public and private programs across the country that care for individuals in need for short periods of time. While your loved one is under the care of experienced professionals, you can rest up to avoid burnout. These programs also give the patient a chance to interact with peers and take part in activities.
Admission into a respite program depends on both availability and the urgency of your situation. If you live in a rural or northern area, respite programs may be hard to find. Health Canada provides a chart that includes the types of publicly funded programs available in each province, including the general services they offer.
If you are an informal caregiver, you may be eligible for some tax benefits and financial support. Visit the Canada Revenue Agency to learn more about the
If your caregiving responsibilities are simply becoming too much, you may want to consider other options, such as retirement residences, long-term care facilities, or home care. You can also visit to determine which assistive services would be most helpful for your situation.
Resources for caregivers
To help you stay on top of your caregiving responsibilities and keep your stress at bay, End of Life Canada provides some helpful resources specifically designed with caregivers in mind.
Always remember that it is important to take some time out to care for yourself. The best way to avoid the damaging effects of caregiver burnout is to prevent it, or, at the very least, recognize the symptoms and take action early on. Take advantage of respite programs for much-needed breaks and make good use of the caregiver resources available across Canada. As a caregiver, you may feel that you’re facing a tough road ahead, but setting aside some ‘me’ time will help you achieve that balance you need.
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