Caregiver fatigue, also known as burnout, is a common side effect of caregiving. Professional caregivers such as nurses often experience caregiver fatigue and must constantly strive to find ways to avoid it in order to continue to work in the field. The lay person trying to care for an aging parent or even spouse can be caught off guard and unprepared for this.
Caregivers Need to be Organized and in Control
Organizational skills are one of the most important tools to help avoid caregiver fatigue. Being prepared for the tasks needed to assist in the care of aging parents can help tremendously to reduce the burden and the stress. The ability to feel in control can work wonders, even when the situation has seemingly blindsided the caregiver.
There will always be an element of surprise and unknown in dealing with an aging parent or spouse, but having a plan ready to implement can help to reduce the effects. Learn to anticipate needs. For example, take inventory of pantry food items and other staples such as toothpaste, soap, toilet paper and shampoo and purchase ahead of time so that it doesn’t become a crisis.
Caregiving Includes Making Lists and Prioritizing
Make a list of all the tasks needed such as bill paying, grocery shopping, filling pill boxes, doing laundry and household chores and schedule them. Keep a calendar of work and family events and plan to attend to these added tasks when there is a lull. Add them to the calendar and learn to prioritize. Which ones are most important and which ones can slide by a few days when necessary?
Don’t just jump in and take over for aging loved ones. Encourage them to remain as independent as possible and look for ways to help them to continue to do many of their own tasks in a safe, yet modified manner. Assume responsibilities slowly as they find they are incapable of managing them.
A Caregiver Should Get the Worst Tasks Done First
In prioritizing, always put the least favorite tasks at the top of the list and get them over with as soon as possible. Procrastinating and avoiding tasks can cause more stress just dreading the thought of doing them. Once they are out of the way, the burden can actually seem much lighter.
Delegate tasks to other family members when possible so the entire burden of caregiving doesn’t fall just to one person. Try to match tasks with skills or ability level so that little to no supervision is needed. Teach the others how to do a task and the importance of reporting if they are not going to be able to carry it out before hand and the sooner the better. Have something else in mind to assign them if this begins to become habitual.
Learn to Ask for Help
Caregivers are often the overachievers. They need to learn to ask for and accept help when needed. They need to learn to take “me time” and get away from the situation at regular intervals. Sleep has to be a priority as well as eating right. The body does not function without fuel and adequate time to relax and replenish itself. This is a vital step to avoid excessive stress and burnout. Caregivers are no good to anyone if they don't take care of themselves too.
Kathy Quan - Kathy Quan RN BSN has been a home health/hospice nurse for over 30 years. She has authored five books and writes for several online ...
