Caring for a patient or loved one can provide a sense of duty, purpose and positive influence. Caregivers (formal or informal) have a valuable impact on a person’s health and care. When considering a sick child, parents and caregivers are integrated into the care plan of that child. Shouldn’t this be the same standard for adult care as well? Research shows that the well-being of the caregiver is associated with the mental health and quality of life of the person they are caring for. 

Caregiving can create stress due to the physical hours, loss of independence and the mental energy required to emotionally support their loved one. Early detection of signs related to burnout or fatigue can help prevent and alleviate this impact before it becomes detrimental. This is the primary reason why we built our family-centered program structure at The Cancer Team to focus not only on the patient, but the support network as well.

A caregiver may be struggling if you notice that they are:

• Avoiding or dreading dealing with people
• Less able to feel empathetic or have negative reactions towards others
• Using alcohol or substances more frequently and in higher amounts.
• Detaching from people in their professional or personal life
• Tense or agitated in their body or verbal language
• Sleep deprived or experiencing new physical pain

Often, guilt is a common cause of emotional suppression because the caregiver may feel like they should not complain about taking care of a loved one who is sick. This may come out in the form of anger, resentment or frustration. This stress can also manifest physically through a weakened immune system, which can lead to infection or illness and delayed recovery for the caregiver. 

What are some ways that we can keep ourselves or others healthy when caring for someone? 

• Ask for help and accept it when offered – strangers, acquaintances and family/friends will surprise you with how much support they provide.
• Set realistic limits for what you can and can’t do physically, emotionally and mentally.
• Share your feelings with someone and take turns with who you talk to – a trusted coworker, therapist or friend. Just get it out (verbally or with tears) so you can unburden yourself periodically. If the emotions don’t get released, they just stay in your body and develop into illness.
• Expect hard moments, but just keep communicating through them. This will allow people to pick up on when you need help and everyone can maintain healthy boundaries for one another.
• Maintain healthy habits like exercise and eating nutritious meals. If you don’t have the energy or time to go to the gym, take a walk instead. If you don’t feel like grocery shopping, there are a number of healthy, affordable grocery delivery service (Hungryroot, Hello Fresh or Misfit Markets). Do what you can every day to take breaks for your own health.
• Find an outlet – this could be a hobby, a social event or something simple like going to a movie or concert. Distraction can take your mind off potential stressors and allow you to recharge.

Being sick or caring for a loved one makes you feel like you have no control over your life or your emotions. Although you may not have control, you have power. When we fight something, it becomes stronger; but acceptance actually gives us power (Vickie Mackie, JONS).

Talk to us about how you can help a loved one.