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Self-Care for Caregivers

The caregiving journey can be long and challenging. Maintaining your own health and mental wellness will help you be a better caregiver and sustain you for the long haul.

Icon_key-points  Key Points

  • Caregiving may be physically and emotionally exhausting. If you find your attitude towards your loved one shifting from care to frustration due to exhaustion, you may be experiencing burnout.

Self-care involves an intentional and active maintenance of your well-being. You can do this by paying attention to your needs and finding ways to cope with stress. As a caregiver, you not only exert physical strength in assisting your loved one, you may also experience stress and anxiety. Therefore, not paying attention to your own needs might put you at greater risk of chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and pain in muscles and joints1.

Insufficient rest may also lead to burnout. A sign of this is when a caregiver’s attitude towards their loved one shifts from care to frustration, due to physical, mental, and/or emotional exhaustion2.

You can check your own stress levels with this Caregiver’s Stress Checklist. If you are experiencing the symptoms of stress and burnout (e.g. persistent changes in appetite, poor sleep patterns and negative emotions), seek help from professionals.

Actions to take

  • Check your stress levels with the Caregiver’s Stress Checklist and seek help if you are burnt out.
  • Seek help from professionals if you experience persistent symptoms of stress and burnout.

 Resources


12 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself Keep Stress Away with These Recommendations Here Is What to Do in A Mental Health Crisis

Footnotes:

1https://familydoctor.org/caregiver-health-and-wellness/

2https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/self-care-for-the-caregiver-2018101715003

Icon_key-points  Key Points

  • There are ways to stay physically, emotionally and mentally healthy throughout the long and challenging caregiving journey.
  • Respite care services are available if you are unable to find alternative care arrangements or take time off for self-care.

Besides setting aside time to rest, self-care can involve engaging in leisure and recreational activities that would improve your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This can reduce the risk of health issues in the long run and sustain your ability to provide care. Taking good care of yourself means better care for your loved one too.

If you do not have alternative caregiving arrangements or cannot find time for self-care, you can consider the following respite care services:

  1. Home-based care and respite services.
  2. Community-based facilities for respite care during the day

Additionally, you can reach out to caregiver support groups, where you can share your experiences with fellow caregivers.

Watch the video below to hear how Susan, who is caring for her daughter with down syndrome, practices self-care: 

Actions to take

  • Use pockets of time when your loved one is meaningfully occupied to engage in self-care.
  • Join a caregiver support group to receive tips and support from other caregivers.

 Resources


Watch “Dear Doctor” to Get Some Self-Care TipsLook No Further for Tips on Caring for Yourself Use Positive Psychology to Self-care

Icon_key-points  Key Points

  • Learning to ask for help is an important part of self-care.
  • Besides reaching out to those around you, counselling, caregiver support groups and caregiver support services are available.
  • Familiarise yourself with online resources which provide useful information for caregivers.

There are many avenues of help for you. If you need a listening ear, reach out to family members or close friends. When necessary, you can contact relevant service providers, seek professional help or call one of these helplines. You can also receive support from caregiver support groups and caregiver support services.

 

 Resources


A Caregiver’s Guide to Avoid Burnout Read more on caregiver Stress and Burnout Read More About Stress Management

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