Overlooked and overworked, family caregivers can often forget to spend time caring for themselves. In the blog post, we will focus on the role and importance of self-care for caregivers and provide resources to prevent family conflict or potential burnout.
As one might imagine, family members are often the primary source of support for individuals with disabilities. In the U.S., about 29% of the population provides care for a disabled family member each year, spending an average of 20 hours a week providing care. That’s more than 65 million people!
One main contributing factor to this increasing statistic is the inaccessibility to institutional care. According to the APA, caregivers were disproportionately from lower-income households, with 44% living under the poverty line. If you cannot afford groceries, you certainly will not be able to access reputable medical treatment and care.
As mentioned previously, caregivers often place their own needs and well-being on hold for their disabled family members. Although challenging, they provide invaluable support that improves the quality of their loved ones’ lives and keeps them out of institutional facilities.
With institutional care being a highly debated topic, let’s focus on the benefits of home care. In many instances, those with disabilities prefer to receive at-home care. Not only does this provide a familiar environment for them to engage with, but it also provides mental health support through feeling loved by family members.
However, in some cases, it may be necessary for caregivers to transition their loved ones with disabilities to an institutional setting to receive more medical support. Please consult your doctors before making this decision for yourself or a family member.
Before resulting in transition or burnout, let’s consider some self-care options. Firstly, setting boundaries is vital in preventing burnout. From verbal to nonverbal, a simple “No” or a head shake can communicate that a boundary has been crossed and needs to be set. Another great option would be to join a support group. Connecting with other caregivers can give you a new perspective to find and explore better ways of care and self-care.
Take some time out of your day to focus on yourself, whether it be a hobby or catching up on some rest. Learning to dedicate time to yourself will inevitably improve your mental health, improving your mood and overall level of care!
At AccessAbility, we provide numerous resources for caregivers. From educational materials on caregiving to respite care options, we are here to assist you along your caregiving journey. If you need support today, contact our office at 843-225-5080.
References
https://www.apa.org/pi/about/