Worried About Caregiver Burnout? Respite Can Help.

You took on a very important job when you decided to become a caregiver for a loved one. Maybe you never thought this would be you, but now you find yourself here and you’ve been stretched thin since the beginning. Maybe you were comfortable with the role at first, but you’ve been starting to feel burnt out. So now what?

Respite care can do wonders for all members of a caregiving relationship. Have you ever heard the phrase, “you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first”? That’s exactly what we’re talking about here. If you’re tired, stressed, and overwhelmed because you’ve given so much of yourself lately, it may be time to seek out some caregiving support.

Here’s where Dori's Doves can help. Begin with letting us know how much time you need and what tasks you’d like us to help with, then we’ll sit down and build a care plan together. If you’re not sure what you’d like help with, start by thinking of the things that produce tension between you and your loved one or between you and others you share caregiving responsibilities with. This is usually a good starting point because whatever drains you of your energy is probably the thing that’s chipping away at the relationship(s) you had prior to taking on caregiving responsibilities. And when relationships deteriorate, it gets harder to be patient and kind in the midst of stressful circumstances.

If you’re a caregiver, take some time to consider the following questions:

1. Do you feel more impatient or upset with your loved one than when you first took on caregiving responsibilities?

2. Do you feel guilty about how strained your relationship has become?

3. Are you a sandwiched caregiver who splits time between caring for your children or grandchildren while also caring for your parent(s)?

4. Do you feel alone in caring for a loved one, and/or are you isolated from other family members who could help lighten the burden?

5. Do you feel like you’re not able to give enough attention to other areas of your life due to your current caregiving responsibilities?

If you found yourself answering yes to many of the questions above, it may be time to seek out some non-family support to assist with caregiving responsibilities. Bringing in respite care never has to be permanent, but for a season, it can help breathe life back into a relationship.