Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

Going through cancer is a difficult thing. I think there’s no arguing with that one! There are constant campaigns from big charities and fundraising groups that highlight just that. But one of the things is often overlooked is how hard it can be on those around the person with cancer. Often, on top of the emotions that come with a loved one having cancer, those closest to them end up becoming a caregiver. They’re happy to do it, but don’t realise just how difficult it can really be. They don’t think about the support they might need, and how to take care of themselves during such a difficult time. So that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

What Does a Caregiver Do?

A caregiver is someone who provides physical or psychological care to someone else. This could be for a wide range of things, including Alzheimer’s, chronic illness, Parkinson’s, strokes, cancer and more. The list goes on really, as it encompasses any adult who requires extra support to live their daily life. The role of a caregiver could include a lot of different things too, like:

• Helping with daily routine like using the toilet, bathing, getting dressed or brushing hair.

• Preparing and eating meals.

• Doing housework.

• Managing medication.

• Managing finances.

• Transport.

• Childcare.

• Monitoring overall health.

• Advocating and communicating their needs to healthcare providers or agencies.

In general, making sure the person they’re caring for is safe and healthy. On top of managing your own life, of course!

What is Caregiver Burnout

After a while, all of this responsibility can take its toll on anyone. You might start feeling tired, stressed, anxious, depressed and withdrawn. That’s not just the emotional impact of having someone close to you battling cancer – it’s caregiver burnout. It’s something that can happen when you dedicate a lot of your time and energy to supporting someone else, and it can impact you physically, psychologically, financially and even socially.

Burnout feels like you’ve been burning a candle at both ends and you’ve run out of wick. You just don’t have what you need to keep the fire burning anymore. It happens when you don’t get the help you need while you devote all of that energy to someone else. It can also happen when you take on much more than you’re able to do on your own, no matter how much you want to. Around 60% of caregivers experience burnout, so you’re definatley not on your own. Finding your way back from burnout can be difficult, and it can take a long time. So your best bet is to make sure it doesn’t happen in the first place!

Tips For Avoiding Burnout

So how can you avoid burnout when someone is depending on you? There are a couple of things you can do.

Ask for help: It can be difficult to ask for help when you’re the one giving help, but it’s important that you do. You’re only one person, and you can’t do everything. Make a list of all the things that need to be done, or that you know you need help with, and reach out to friends and family. Be specific about what you need them to help with. While most people will struggle with a blanket ‘help out’, if you give them a specific task, they’re usually much happier to take it on, and get it done!

Schedule self-care time: Finding a spare moment as a caregiver can be difficult, but making sure you have some short breaks is important. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying these private moments for yourself, and doing things that relax you. Make sure you make time for you. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Take breaks: Above all, remember you’re allowed to take breaks. This is also known as ‘respite’, and it’s a time when you aren’t the primary carer for the person with cancer. There are services that can come into their home to provide this, or you can look into care homes and hospices that offer short respite breaks. How long the respite break is will depend on your situation and the services available in your area. Types of respite can include day visits, day centres they can visit for a day, a short stay in a care home or hospice, and even overnight care from a cancer nurse.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can be a very useful tool during difficult times. It’s all about being present with your emotions, and letting yourself feel them without interference of judgement. The practice has been shown to have benefits for physical and mental health, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Meditation is a great place to start, and you can use apps to guide you through the steps.

Seek Support: Even the carers need caring for. Joining a support group for cancer caregivers, for example, can give you a safe space to process your experiences with people who understand. If you’re not sure where to look, ask your loved one’s cancer care team for a referral to a local, in-person group. You can also find support groups online or over the phone, whatever works for you.

At Jill’s Fundraising Journey, we’re particularly passionate about ensuring families impacted by a cancer diagnosis get the support they need. And sometimes, that means a short break away from it all to reconnect, get some headspace and relax. That’s why we offer free holidays at Jill’s Place. If you’re interested in booking a getaway, just drop us a line or fill in our booking form, and one of our team will get back to you shortly. And remember, be kind to yourself.