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Taking care of loved ones can feel rewarding but also draining at times. It can sometimes feel overwhelming. How do you take care of others and make sure you're not neglecting your own needs? What happens when guilt makes it hard to prioritize those needs? When there's no balance, it can lead to caregiver fatigue and burnout.
Caregiver fatigue can affect different people in different ways. You might feel tired constantly, not be sleeping well, or getting sick more often. Maybe you feel angry at your loved one, the situation, or yourself. You might be more irritable and snap at things that usually wouldn't bother you as much. Maybe some things that feel small hit you harder than it would hit other people. Your baseline stress level is already so high that something seemingly small gets you above the crying threshold.
Many times, caregiving brings a lot of anxiety as well. You might be worried about if you're doing the right thing for your loved one or worried what will happen in the future if it becomes too much for you to handle on your own.
Not only are your loved ones adjusting, but you are also adjusting to your new role as a caregiver. You're dealing with the stress of trying to navigate all the financial changes, routine changes, or relationship changes. Oftentimes, this comes with a sense of grief. You never imagined this happening and you're grieving the loss of the future you envisioned or you miss how things used to be and you're grieving the loss of the original relationship dynamic. With all these changes, it's hard to find time and motivation to take care of yourself.
Therapy can be a space to process the complicated mix of feelings that often accompany caregiving. It can provide extra support to those whose lives revolve around supporting others and be a space to navigate the feelings of grief, anxiety and stress.
For a list of support groups for caregivers of those with Alzheimer's, click here and for non-disease specific support groups, click here. Please note that some groups may be paused or discontinued due to Covid.
For parents of kids with different needs, Parent to Parent offers support. Click here to connect with other parents who can relate to your situation.
Trying to do it all yourself can lead to burnout. For help with in-home services in Austin, contact Caring Senior Services or The Key.
For adult day services in Austin, contact the Daybreak Activity Center hosted by the Mary Lee Foundation or AGE Thrive Social & Wellness Centers for availability and more information.
For stroke related resources for caregivers, visit Marcy's Corner.
Teepa Snow creates videos that give you great tips on how to redirect your loved one with dementia. She covers topics like personal hygiene, eating, and wanting to go home. For a full list of her videos, click here.
Arbor Branch Counseling, PLLC
5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 117 Austin, TX 78731
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