Understanding the Role of an Informal Caregiver
An Informal Caregiver is an individual who provides permanent or regular care to others in a dependent situation, most commonly family members. Being a caregiver is a true mission, requiring constant involvement in the daily life of the elderly person. Attention to well-being ranges from nutrition and hygiene to clothing maintenance. Concurrently, there is a significant focus on health, necessitating adherence to medication schedules, treatments, and medical appointments. Finally, there is a component of affection and nurturing, contributing to the senior’s mental well-being. Informal caregivers currently have a recognized status in Portugal, aiming to acknowledge their fundamental role and ensure certain rights and support.
Essential Qualities and Daily Challenges
Effectively, those who volunteer to be caregivers must possess patience, the ability to remain calm, and adaptability in situations of emotional exhaustion and refusal from the elderly person (frequent situations include refusing medication, food, or bathing), as well as during times when the senior is mentally unstable (shouting, gesticulating, wanting to leave home, among others). In other instances, physical strength is necessary to lift, seat, and lay down elderly individuals whose movements are limited. In summary, the challenges are numerous and, very frequently, caregivers feel overwhelmed, isolated, and consequently, exhausted.
Preventing Caregiver Burnout
Profound weariness or exhaustion in a caregiver must be avoided, as it compromises the physical and mental health of the individual providing care. At the same time, the senior ultimately suffers as a result of this depletion.
Here are some tips to help caregivers prevent reaching a painful and extreme state of exhaustion:
1. Communicate Your Limits: Caregivers are often perceived by other family members as always available and willing to take on more and more tasks. They are mistakenly seen as tireless and resilient, capable of enduring anything and doing whatever is necessary for others. However, it is crucial to communicate and inform the rest of the family that, as a human being, you have your limits and, like anyone else, you get tired, worn out, irritated, and — most importantly — you need rest.
2. Prioritize Self-Care: Schedule non-negotiable time for yourself to rest and engage in self-care activities. Organize and ask other family members to substitute for you during your absences. Maintain your own medical appointments and examinations, and dedicate time to activities that bring you pleasure and benefit your physical and mental well-being, such as Pilates, yoga, swimming, or walks. If family members are unavailable to provide support, consider hiring someone who can assist when needed.
3. Listen to Your Body and Mind: Pay close attention to your physical and mental state. For example, if you start experiencing back pain from changing an individual’s position or maintaining certain postures for extended periods while caring, schedule a medical consultation and address your health. Simultaneously, you may feel emotionally overwhelmed and realize you need the help of a psychologist. Currently, online consultations are available, eliminating the need to travel to a clinic.
4. Acknowledge Negative Emotions: Recognize that the exhaustion of caring for another person can lead to negative feelings such as despair, impatience, sadness, anguish, or even anger towards the elderly person. These emotions are often perceived by the caregiver as a sign of being a “bad person” because they believe they shouldn’t feel them. However, given the emotional toll that caring for an elderly person can take, these feelings are normal. Ask someone to substitute for you in crisis situations. This allows you to step away from the senior, recover, and feel more revitalized when you resume care. If you find that these feelings are starting to dominate you and you are unable to overcome them, seek the help of a psychologist.
5. Seek Assistance When Needed: Whenever you deem it necessary, ask for help to avoid exhaustive overload. For example, trips to medical appointments or examinations can be an extreme source of fatigue because the elderly person may have limited mobility or become anxious due to a change in routine. Simultaneously, upon arrival at the medical facility, check-in is required, but it’s not always possible to ensure the senior is close to the caregiver, as the reception area may be far from where the elderly person is seated. Given the various scenarios that can occur and are beyond the caregiver’s control, the ideal solution is for two people to accompany the senior. They can assist each other, reduce setbacks, and ensure everything flows more smoothly.
When Additional Support is Needed
If you do not have family or friends who can assist you, KindCare is available to provide all necessary support to both the caregiver and the elderly person. Contact us for more information.