Caregiving and the Importance of Caregiver Support

Did you know that in America today, more than one in five people, or 21% of people, are caregivers? That means an estimated 53 million people in the United States are caring for or have cared for an adult or child with special needs at some point within the past 12 months.

Today we’re going to take a look at what a caregiver is, what their duties are, caregiver stress and burnout, and the importance of caregiver support practices, such as healthy ways for caregivers to manage their stress by implementing regular self-care practices.

Defining the Caregiver

Former First Lady of the United States Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.”

It’s inevitable that at some point in our lives we will be faced with the task of either becoming the caregiver to someone in need or receiving care from a caregiver. It’s so universal, and because of that, it’s important we understand what a caregiver is and some of their duties.

According to John Hopkins Medicine, a caregiver is a person who tends to the needs or concerns of a person with short or long-term limitations due to illness, injury, or disability. A caregiver could be an adult child caring for an elderly parent, or a parent tending to the needs of a disabled child.

Now that we’ve unpacked the formal definition of what a caregiver is, let’s take a look at what being a caregiver looks like on a practical, day-to-day level.

A Caregiver’s Duties

A caregiver is in charge of handling a plethora of tasks day in and day out for another person. To get a better idea of why caregiver support practices are so important, let’s look at the daily duties of the caregiver.

Below is a list of 10 of the most common caregiver duties:

• Scheduling and handling doctor’s appointments
• At-home care such as medication management or bathroom assistance
• House-keeping or maintenance like washing dishes, doing the laundry, watering plants, dusting, or lawn care
• Transportation for things such as doctor’s appointments, social gatherings, family events, church, etc.
• Cooking meals and possibly feeding the person being cared for. This may also include trips to the grocery store.
• Pet care such as walking or bathing the dog, taking the animal to vet appointments, etc.
• Helping with exercise, like making sure the loved one is getting plenty of low-intensity physical activity to aid in overall health and wellbeing.
• Organizing the calendar and scheduling.
• Running errands like going clothes shopping, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy, running to the post office, etc.
• Financial assistance such as helping to pay the bills on time, managing finances and funds, and helping with taxes.

It’s evident that being a caregiver is no small task, and it’s okay to get overwhelmed at times if you’re a caregiver. But before we jump into some caregiver support practices, we have to first understand what caregiver stress and burnout look like.

Caregiver Stress & Burnout

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the needs of family caregivers too often go unnoticed, which can easily lead to caregiver stress and burnout.

Caregiver stress is the physical and emotional strain that can result from providing continuous care for another person. And when the stress is prolonged and not managed correctly, it can lead to some serious burnout.

In fact, The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP Public Policy Institute surveyed that 40% of caregivers feel emotionally stressed or burnt out. Burnout, by formal definition, is the physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.

Some symptoms of caregiver stress or burnout may include:

• Frequent headaches or body aches
• Frequent fatigue or always feeling tired
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Rapid weight gain or weight loss
• Abusing the use of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications
• Moodiness such as being easily angered or irritated
• The feeling of persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Not being interested in previously enjoyed activities
• Feeling lonely or isolated from other people

Some of the long-term effects of caregiver stress may include:

• Very serious mental health issues such as anxiety or depression
• Digestive issues
• Weakened immune system
• Alcoholism or drug addiction
• Increased risk for chronic diseases

The Importance of Caregiver Support

In order to avoid caregiver stress and burnout and some of the long-term effects it can lead to, it’s essential to make caregiver support practices a priority. Caregiver support practices help the caregiver manage stress by reducing the feeling of overwhelm and prioritizing time for self-care.

7 Self-Care Practices for Caregiver Support

Let’s explore seven self-care practices that a caregiver could do to reduce caregiver stress and burnout throughout each day.

1.Make a List

At the beginning of each new day, it can be extremely life-giving to prioritize your tasks for the day in the form of a list. You could schedule 30-60 minutes each morning to look at your schedule for that day, and then make a list of everything you need to get accomplished. Start by putting the high-priority tasks at the top of the list and then schedule out the tasks that aren’t as high of a priority for another day.

2.Complete Small Tasks to Regain Control

If you get to the middle of your day and you feel like you’re drowning in overwhelm, go back to your list and pick out a smaller task to accomplish. Accomplishing one of the lower priority tasks, or a “small” task, will help you feel more accomplished and back in control of your day.

3.Eat Healthy Foods

A huge part of caregiving is making sure the person being cared for is well-fed. But the caregiver can’t forget to fuel their own body with good foods, too. Proper nutrition is essential to feeling good and can affect your mood and overall mental clarity. Scheduling out healthy snacks or meals throughout the day is one way to offer yourself caregiver support.

4.Get Adequate Sleep

When you prioritize your sleep, you’re giving your body the time it needs to repair itself. Throughout the day, we face so many different stressors that our bodies and minds need that time to restore and recharge. It’s essential to make getting an adequate amount of sleep a priority as a self-care practice for caregivers. Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep regularly each night.

5.   Exercise

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which can positively alter your mood by helping you release stress! Exercise also helps with weight management, improving your overall physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. As a caregiver, take time to find a form of exercise that works for you; running, walking, biking, hiking, yoga, swimming, etc. Try to schedule at least 30 minutes a day of regular physical activity as a way to care for your overall health and wellbeing.

6.Try Journaling

Journaling can be a great stress reliever because it allows you a safe space to process your thoughts and feelings. Implementing a regular practice of journaling can provide a perspective that thinking or talking may not be able to provide. It could also be helpful to start a gratitude list in your journal to help you notice and keep track of the blessings you have in your life. Making time for your journaling either in the morning before your day starts or before bed as a positive way to end the day.

7.Ask For and Receive Help

As a caregiver, learning how to ask for help and then receive it is an essential caregiver support practice. As a caregiver, you are constantly worrying about the needs of others and it can be difficult to remember to ask for help yourself! Being able to lean on the people around you that you trust can help lift the heavy burdens of life off of your shoulders and make you feel less alone.

Other Caregiver Support Resources

Online resources can be hugely helpful for caregivers looking for extra support. Here are two websites that house links that contain support group information, networks, and tips for caring for those you love:

• Help for Caregivers from caregiving.org
• First Light Home Care: 12 Online Resources for Family Caregivers

Here at Seattle Christian Counseling, we are dedicated to helping you learn, heal, and grow in the direction that you feel God calling you toward. Having a counselor come alongside you in your journey as a caregiver can be highly beneficial to your mental and emotional health.

If you would like to partner with me or another one of the counselors in the online directory, please don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment.