Caregiver burnout
		Advice for caregivers
		A Caregiver's Bill of Rights

1. Watch for signs of caregiver burnout: depression, ongoing fatigue, less interest in work, social withdrawal, more use of stimulants or alcohol, or other symptoms.



2. If you notice burnout symptoms, take action to help yourself. Stay involved in hobbies and other activities.



3. Recognize the limits of your own endurance and strength. Don't be afraid to seek help from others.



4. Remember that taking care of yourself is not an act of selfishness.

If someone you care for has angina pain or discomfort, or another illness that seriously limits his or her ability to get through the day easily, the task of caring for them can take a toll on you, your family, your co-workers, and your friends. You, as the caregiver, put your heart and soul into giving good care.

But you're not always able to socialize or participate in the activities you enjoy. And, to be honest, both you and your "patient" miss the days when life was more enjoyable and carefree.

Caregiver burnout

How do you know if you're overdoing it? The following are some signs of caregiver burnout, according to Caregiver.com:¹

• Feelings of depression
  
• A sense of ongoing and constant fatigue
  
• Decreasing interest in work
  
• Decrease in work production
  
• Withdrawal from social contacts
  
• Increase in use of stimulants or alcohol
  
• Increasing fear of death
  
• Change in eating patterns
  
• Feelings of helplessness

Advice for caregivers

If you or a caregiver you know notices any of these symptoms, here are some ideas that might help:¹

• Participate in a support network
  
• Consult professionals to explore burnout issues
  
• Attend a support group to receive feedback and coping strategies
  
• Vary the focus of caregiving responsibilities (rotate responsibilities with family members, if possible)
  
• Exercise daily and maintain a healthful diet
  
• Establish a quiet time for meditation
  
• Get a weekly massage
  
• Stay involved in hobbies

A Caregiver's Bill of Rights

The best caregiver is one who takes care of him or herself, too. To that end, the Caregiver's Bill of Rights² helps caregivers stay focused, gain perspective and, above all, maintain a sense of well-being:

"I have the right:

• To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my loved one.
  
• To seek help from others even though my loved ones may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
  
• To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything that I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things just for myself.
  
• To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
  
• To reject any attempts by my loved one (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt and/or depression.
  
• To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do, from my loved ones, for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
  
• To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my loved one.
  
• To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my loved one no longer needs my full-time help.
  
• To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country, similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting caregivers."

	The electrical system of the heart is called the conduction system. It tells the heart when to contract, or beat. True or False? Click here.

Sources

1. Seligson, M. Ross, M.D. "Caregiver Burnout." 2003. Caregiver.com.
   
   
2. "A Caregiver's Bill of Rights." 2003. Caregiver.com.