My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
As the primary caregiver for an aging or chronically ill family member, there are typically a lot of demands on your time. Serving as the primary caregiver in this situation can be stressful and exhausting. Unfortunately, it can lead to burnout and severe fatigue if you don't get a break or find a way to manage that stress. Here are a few things to think about if you're starting to feel worn down by this type of care.
Talk to the Doctor
The first place to start is to talk with your loved one's doctor. There may be some methods that you can use to simplify some of the care. It's important to consult the doctor, though, because he or she will be able to tell you what would apply based on your loved one's specific condition and symptoms.
In addition, the doctor can evaluate all of the prescriptions and other care recommendations to determine if any of them are either unnecessary or can be replaced with something different that is easier to deal with.
Use Your Resources
One problem that many primary caregivers face is the feeling that they have to carry the entire burden alone. The fact is that this usually is not the case. In fact, if you take the time to reach out to other family members and friends, you can often get some help from others to ease the demands on your time. Even something as simple as someone staying with your loved one while you go to the grocery store, prepare a meal, or run other errands can help you to breathe easier and relax a little bit.
Take Time for You
Especially if you are a parent raising children of your own, it's easy to find yourself spending every waking moment caring for someone, whether it's your child or your family member. This can lead to burnout because you never take time to relax and recharge. Make sure that you prioritize time for yourself in the midst of everything, because that will allow you to maintain a sense of peace and relaxation that can make the demands of your day easier to handle.
Hire a Caregiver
Another great way to fight the fatigue and burnout is to hire an in-home caregiver. Even if they only provide services occasionally, those few hours a couple of times a week can be a respite time for you as well as the opportunity for your loved one to interact with someone else. In addition, an in-home caregiver from a home healthcare agency may be able to identify some medical concerns that you might overlook in the early stages, simply because they are better trained for that type of situation.
Share