Caregiving is a very important role in healthcare, but who takes care of the caregiver? Our post today comes from Beth Martel who explores this subject. Beth is a mother of two, a medical professional and a humanitarian who blogs at HealthyRecharge.com.
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Who Takes Care Of The Caregiver?
The duty of a caregiver for the chronically ill is often tougher than we imagine it to be. Most of their time is often spent at the hospital. They get deprived of sleep. They skip meals in order to cater to the patient. They even have to take care of the ill when they need it the most. It is not just a long-lasting service they provide; it is a huge sacrifice of their sleep, health and comfort.
This job requires a proper management of stress and if one leaves it unchecked, it can affect the relationships and physical and mental health of the caregiver. As a result, the caregiver reaches his saturation point. He can no more take care of the patients well unless he pulls himself back up. Therefore, it is of great significance that a caregiver takes care of himself first in order to take care of others in the best way.
We all know that we must put on our own oxygen mask first before helping anyone else when we are in an airplane and an oxygen mask comes down in front of us. We can only help others when we have helped ourselves. Same rule applies to the challenging life of a caregiver. It is the most important thing for you to take care of yourself first but unfortunately that is what most caregivers often forget. When you are in a healthy state of mind and your needs are fulfilled, the person who you take care of will benefit too.
There might be some caregivers around the world who themselves are suffering from chronic diseases. Being a caregiver with a chronic disease, you might have to visit the doctor regularly and take good care of your health and needs. But you often forget to cope with your disease, trying to make others cope with theirs. Here are a few tips that will help you to take care of yourself and others as a caregiver in the best way possible:
- Maintain a To-Do List:
Being a busy caregiver, you often have so many duties to fulfill that you forgetting about your health becomes natural. To avoid this, make a to-do list daily. It must include your timings of medicine intake, exercise, diet and the like.
- Regular Visits to Doctor:
It is important to give regular visits to your doctor if you are suffering from a chronic disease. Take time out for it and do not delay it at any cost.
- Socialize:
Socializing is like medicine for mental health. Social isolation due to the burden of care giving can lead to anxiety and depression. Therefore, staying connected with family and friends who support you is important to keep you motivated and mentally peaceful.
- Get Enough Sleep:
Proper sleep is essential to keep you active and helps you to fulfill your duties in the best way possible.
- Eat Well:
Nurture your body and improve your physical health by taking fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains and healthy fats. Do not depend on sugar and caffeinated drinks that boost your energy only temporarily. They only eventually lead to low blood sugar levels and a drain in energy.
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Thank you, Beth, for sharing your tips on caring for caregivers with us!
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