How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Providing home support in Vancouver for those in palliative care can be rewarding but also very stressful. This is especially true if the one being cared for has a long-term condition that is terminal or requires round-the-clock care. If you want to avoid burnout, follow these tips.

Don’t Take Things Personally

If a person suffers from emotional or mental health problems, or has dementia in Vancouver, he or she may become angry or say harmful words that may seem to be directed at you. Don’t take such outbursts personally. Tell yourself that these are signs of the illness and has nothing to do with how the person truly feels about you.

Help Them Help Themselves

Give the person you’re caring for as much independence as possible by making it easier for them to do things for themselves. Putting a no-slip seat in the shower, moving things to lower shelves or closer to the bed, or clearing a path for a walker to the front door, may enable them to take control over many aspects of their lives which were previously out of reach.

Spread the News

Rather than repeating the news that your relative is recovering well after surgery or is undergoing personal palliative care in Vancouver, look for ways to spread the news more efficiently through social media, email blasts, or by setting up a phone tree. Such mass communication is more efficient and less stressful.

Get Help

Relatives and friends of your loved one may be eager to provide assistance, so don’t be afraid to ask those whom you trust for help with post-operative care in Vancouver. Be clear in what you need done but avoid criticizing if your helpers don’t perform the task exactly the way you do it. What’s important is to ensure that the needs of your relative are being met.

Join a Support Group

A support group puts you in touch with people like yourself who are providing respite care in Vancouver. It’s a place where you can chat with others about your issues and receive answers to questions and additional guidance. Check out Family Caregivers of British Columbia for an in-person support group near you.

Look After Yourself

The person you’re taking care of depends on your energy and wellbeing, so don’t forget to take care of yourself as well! Every once in a while, give yourself a break of a few hours to exercise, read a book, watch a movie, or do something enjoyable. Ask someone you trust to take over for that time, so you don’t have to worry about what’s happening with your loved one.

For more useful resources, contact Safe Care Home Support.