shinehealthcare

People living with someone who constantly needs care and attention often wonder, “Will I ever be able to enjoy my life?” If you fall in the same category, then you will be happy to learn that the answer is ‘yes’. We know taking care of aging parents or a family member with a disability is a responsibility that you want to fulfill with utmost dedication. But if you don’t take care of yourself or don’t give relaxing time to yourself, you are going to suffer from caregiver burnout. So, how do you prevent yourself from caregiver burnout? Respite care! Respite care is what you need to take care of your loved ones with special needs and to take care of yourself simultaneously. We understand that being an adult caregiver is actually more challenging than doing it for a living, especially when you add all other adult responsibilities, like delivering projects on time, managing the household, paying bills, and whatnot. It’s no wonder to feel frustrated, distressed, or depressed at such times. Now, the question is how do you identify the warning signs of caregiver burnout and when to hire respite care services? In this blog, we will take a look at different warning signs which indicate that you need a break from your caregiving responsibilities and seek respite care to fill in the gap. Exhaustion Are you feeling exhausted more than usual? It may sound like a yes or no question, but, unfortunately, caregivers ignore what their body is telling them. Living like a robot with long hours of work and no rest is not a sustainable way to live. Neglecting your sleep, self-care, and me-time can adversely affect your caregiving efforts and your long-term physical, mental, and emotional health. Sometimes, you also suffer from compassion fatigue. So, when you feel that you are exhausted, give yourself a break. Falling ill frequently If you are not healthy yourself, it is extremely difficult to take on the role of a caregiver. Besides, you also run the risk of infecting the person you are taking care of. What’s more, high stress and insufficient sleep only worsen your health and give rise to many chronic and severe illnesses. It weakens your immune system, meaning – the risk of getting infected increases many times. So, when you notice yourself falling sick frequently, give yourself enough time to fully recover and get healthy. And don’t worry about the aging parents or a family member with special needs. Respite care services are always there to help you. Missing out me-time We all have personal lives and neglecting that fact takes a toll on anyone’s mental and emotional health. When you feel like you want to attend a party, meet your friends, go on a date, or simply find solace in your bedroom for some time, then don’t ignore these feelings. Caregiving doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice all your independence and personal life completely. You deserve to spend time away with whomever or wherever you want occasionally and that doesn’t make you selfish. You always have respite care services at your disposal to take care of your loved ones. So, whenever you notice these caregiver burnout signs, Respite care can become the helping hand you and your loved one need.