Waypoint Staff
Melissa Cecil, chief executive officer of Waypoint Senior Care and Consulting, and her advisors agree one of the most common issues they find when meeting with families is caregiver burnout.
Love, along with a big dose of guilt, can take most of us a long way when it comes to taking care of someone we love. We’ll go on no sleep for days, making time for everyone in need of our attention. It’s a big job, but hey, you promised your mom you wouldn’t put dad into one of those nursing homes, and you are determined to keep your word.
So, you continue to work your full-time job while you play the role of full-time caregiver for your dad. Don’t forget the children you still are raising who need your attention and that person you married who may want to see you once in a while, as well. Are you feeling overwhelmed yet?
You are not alone. There is help—and it’s OK to ask for it.
Statistics tell us 53 percent of caregivers say their health has gotten worse due to caregiving, and the decline in their health has affected their ability to provide care (NAC, 2006). This is not a surprising fact, considering most family caregivers still are working and still are raising families of their own. This makes it difficult to find time to rest, exercise or pay attention to one’s diet. There certainly is no time for relaxing either.
Unfortunately, every day we see the sad end to this story. We see caregivers become so ill they are no longer able to care for their loved one. We see marriages end because they were pushed to the side for so long while caregiving became priority. We see children in trouble at school because their parents are too busy to notice them. Sadly, we’ve even seen the caregiver pass away in untimely death, as the stress of caregiving took too high a toll.
The fact is you are not superhuman. You need rest, and you need time for the other members of your family. And guess what? You need time for yourself, too. This is not selfish. How can you be your best for others when you don’t take care of yourself?
Waypoint Senior Care and Consulting offers multiple solutions for allowing time for family caregivers to take a break and recharge their batteries. Our in-home care option will provide a certified nursing assistant to come to your loved one, just as you do, to provide a few hours or even a few days of care while you take a break.
If you prefer, we can assist you in locating a residential care home or facility for your loved one to stay for a week or so while you get away. Let Waypoint serve as your guide as you navigate the sea of fear, frustration and exhaustion, which comes with caring for loved ones.
We’re here to help. Call Waypoint Senior Care and Consulting today at (602) 354-9094.