Ways to Prevent Caregiver Burnout
The responsibilities of caring for a family member can cause significant stress. Family caregivers can experience called ‘caregiver burnout’ and it is often hard for someone to maintain being a caregiver for an extended period of time. The Pavilion Senior Living is here to assist you on your caregiving journey and help in any way possible. Let’s explore some ways you can minimize stress and prevent caregiver burnout.
Schedule ‘Me’ Time
While it sometimes feels like you have to be, you should not be a caregiver 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. You need to remember to take time for yourself and rely on the support network around you – whether that is friends, family, or care professionals. Use your me time to do things that you love whether that is exercising, having a night out with friends, going to the salon, or even just reading a book alone. Whatever fills you with joy, be sure to make time for it.
It’s important to make this a standing event on your calendar. Life can be hectic, especially if you are working and caring for a family on top of being a caregiver. Scheduling this reoccurring time will ensure you are most likely to be able to take that time for yourself.
Use Respite Care
Many senior living providers, including The Pavilion Senior Living, offer respite care or short-term stays. We welcome guests into our community to stay for a couple hours or overnight for more extended stays. This service can be used when you need to go out of town, have a vacation, schedule an appointment, or even just need a break.
Having a loved one stay at a The Pavilion Senior Living community means you have peace of mind that your family member is receiving love and care while you are away. Our community guests receive all the same benefits as our current residents.
Find a Support Group
Family caregiving can be an isolating experience. It is important to stay connected to peers who are currently going through similar situations. One of the ways you can do that is through attending caregiver support groups.
Look for Other Senior Care Solutions
If caregiving has become too much for you to handle and it is affecting your health and well-being it may be time to look for alternative senior care solutions. Caregiving is an extremely difficult job, and health declines can severely affect your ability to safely care for your family member.
There are many other senior care options available depending on the level of care required for your loved one. The Pavilion Senior Living offers the full-spectrum of care across our communities in Tennessee.