By Mercyhealth
Caring for a loved one can be rewarding, but also stressful.
It’s important for caregivers to prioritize their mental and physical health as they take on new responsibilities and ongoing demands of caring for a loved one.
The National Institute on Aging reports these sometimes-overlooked signs of caregiver stress:
• Having trouble sleeping and feeling exhausted
• Skipping meals, showers or other personal care
• Changes in mood like feeling hopeless or becoming easily angered
• Experiencing frequent aches and pains
Asking for help can be hard, but many caregivers say they wish they had asked for support sooner. A good place to start is by asking for help with small tasks. Prepare a list of chores that need to be done. If you aren’t comfortable asking face-to-face or via phone, send a text message or email.
It’s also crucial to make time for yourself and take proactive steps to prevent caregiver burnout.
• Schedule regular health check-ups with your primary care provider.
• Connect with friends and family or consider joining a support group for people in similar situations.
• Prioritize rest and exercise to reduce strain on your body, combat depression and improve overall state of mind.
• Identify what you can and cannot change. When you try to change things beyond your control, you will only increase your frustration.
Caring for yourself enhances your ability to care for others.
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Often, the best place for care and recovery is at home. This is especially true for individuals with new or chronic conditions, or who may be too ill to travel to the hospital. Mercyhealth’s team of compassionate experts delivers care when you need us most. Call (888) 39-MERCY for more information about Mercyhealth at Home.
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