Reducing Your Stress
As a caregiver, you understand stress. It comes in all forms. Whether you are paying the bills, helping your loved one take some medicine or making doctor’s appointments, caregiver stress can mean anxiety, depression and the beginning of caregiver burnout.
There is no one secret to avoiding stress; instead, stress avoidance comes in a variety of different forms. It’s important to reduce your stress so you can be a good caregiver while enjoying your life.
Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
Caring for your loved one can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be very tiring, emotionally draining and lonely. While it is impossible to be fully prepared for all the challenges that this job brings, there are ways to be ready for the changes that will happen during your course of caregiving:
- Anticipate Changes -- Learn about the symptoms and changes that will happen to your patient while battling mesothelioma.
- Limit Assistance -- As much as possible, let your loved one make decisions and solve problems. This allows your patient to feel more control while giving you a break.
- Avoid Conflict -- If your patient seems angry or frustrated, don’t take it to heart. Mesothelioma is a difficult disease that is typically caused by occupational exposure; your loved one may be dealing with grief at the same time.
- Find An Outlet -- Take part in local respite programs that give caregivers the chance for a time-out from caregiving. Use this time to do good things for yourself, including engaging in hobbies or taking some time to visit friends.
Patient Advocates
Another way to reduce your stress is to turn to our patient advocates. Unlike support groups or individual counselors, our patient advocates deal solely with mesothelioma. They understand the unique challenges that this rare cancer brings and the best ways to handle it.
In addition to offering moral support, our patient advocates offer several resources that are designed to make your life easier:
- We can connect you with a local support group.
- We provide customized literature written specifically for caregivers and their families.
- You can speak with our on-staff nurse who handles mesothelioma cases and its consequences.
- We will help you find the best treatment facilities or doctors in your community.
Finding Your Support
No matter how you do it, it is vital to find support because it is directly related to caregiver well being. This allows caregivers to remain strong for their family and, more importantly, for their patient. Caregiver burnout is a real condition that can come on quietly but can have devastating effects. It is vital to recognize the signs to get help today.
Sources:
- Cardillo, Donna. “Avoiding Caregiver Burnout.” Doctoroz.com. Retrieved from http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/donna-cardillo-rn-ma/avoiding-caregiver-burnout.
- The Times News. “Avoiding Caregiver Burnout.” Thetimesnews.com. Retrieved from http://www.thetimesnews.com/lifestyles/lifestyles-home/avoiding-caregiver-burnout-1.133517.
