Have you considered taking a break from Caregiving?   Taking time away to recharge?  

Studies have shown that taking time away can have physical and mental health benefits.  People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.

Taking care of an aging or ill loved one can be enormously rewarding but also exhausting and emotionally draining.

Plowing through might feel doable in the short term, but too much time without a break can lead to caregiver burnout, depression and health problems.

EVERY CAREGIVER NEEDS A CAREGIVER — someone who will tend to your loved one for a few hours, days or weeks so you can take care of yourself.

Respite Care can help alleviate some of the symptoms of caregiver burnout by providing day or overnight care services, giving caregivers a much-needed break for a few hours a day or a few days a week. 

Respite can come in many forms: from family and friends; volunteer groups; faith-based organizations; local, state and federal agencies; or paid respite workers. It can take place in the home, or at an outside facility such as an adult day care center.

Determining If Respite Is Right For You

Often, caregivers are reluctant to admit they may need respite, and deciding to allow someone else to step in as a caregiver can be a big decision. 

• Do you feel emotionally and physically drained on a regular basis?
• Are you concerned that in the event of an emergency there is no one that you trust to take care of your loved one?
• Do you find yourself becoming more agitated with things that previously never bothered you?
• Are you neglecting your own health-related needs due to lack of time or lack of desire to assess your own needs?
• Are you experiencing resentment toward other family members who could help you but don’t?
• Is your social life suffering?
• Is there an unusual change in your eating habits?
• Do you have feelings...

Today's episode is all about you and your overwhelm.  The true facts about how this stress, anxiety, burnout and fatigue creep up on you and before you know it, you are in the thick of it and don’t know what to do.  

When I first became a caregiver, I let the adrenaline drive me through the overwhelm.  When that faded, I let my mind and body do the work.  Well looking back, I now see the 3 stages of overwhelm I went through and it’s toll it took on myself, my Loved One, my friendships and more.  

That’s why over the last month, I sat down and really did some digging into this subject.  I researched 100s of articles, interviewed caregivers and fead all my journal entries, text messages, facebook post on where I was at.

So today, I want to highlight the 3 stages of caregiver overwhelm - the whats, the why, the hows and more.    You can find the entire resource at cathylvan.com/caregiverstress

1. Caregiver Stress
2. Caregiver Burnout
3. Compassion Fatigue

Overwhelm is reality.  It’s hard, It sucks but it can be a joyful and rewarding experience.  So when you run over that nail or screw,  think about how you want to fix it vs just putting air in your tire.  Get in front of your overwhelm by seeking help or tools to get you on the path to reducing the stress and anxiety.  

So grab my free resource at cathylvan.com/caregiverstress.   Let me help you through this journey.   It is important to look at your caregiver cup and control what goes in it.  You can’t pour from an empty cup.   

Send hugs and warmth your way.   Talk to you again next week.