Caregiving
A caregiver is someone who takes of others. Caregivers are paid or non-paid. Typically, the non-paid caregiver is a family member, who has found themselves in a situation of the unknown. From maneuvering through the healthcare system to providing care for a loved one and at times to the determent of themselves.
The world’s current situation has put more demands on caregivers. Access to supports for caregivers and those they support have diminished. Activities and programs have been put on hold and the caregiver is feeling desperate when supporting someone who is finding this time confusing and lonely.
Regardless of age, sex, and race and ethnicity, caregivers report problems of attending to their health and well-being while managing caregiving responsibilities. They report:
Sleep deprivation
Poor eating habits
Failure to exercise
Failure to stay in bed when ill
Postponement of or failure to make medical appointments for themselves
I’ve seen this in my daughter Renee, She is a Respiratory Therapist and after a shift at the hospital, she sent me this photo, showing the bruises on her nose and dents on her cheeks from wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Those are the physical effects the emotional effects are much deeper. The fear of the unknown. A healthcare system that is doing its best to mitigate ongoing infections yet is unable to give clear directions of what the next steps are. Everyone is doing their best and at times that’s just doesn’t feel good enough.
Caregiving has been one of the most rewarding yet frustrating paths I have walked. I was a paid caregiver to individuals with developmental disabilities. They taught me so much. Navigating the system with all its policies and procedures that don’t always serve the individual's needs, is eye-opening, disappointing and discouraging.
I have also been an unpaid caregiver to my mom and aunt until they passed. I continue to be a caregiver for my dad. It is an honour and blessing to be helping my dad with what he needs to be safe and comfortable as his health continues to decline with age.
I was doing it all.
As a result, I could no longer cope and took a leave of absence from my paid position. At first, I thought I was depressed, I soon discovered I was burned out. At the time my husband was also struggling with his own issues that were directly affecting me and our family. My plate was full!
I had also started a path of self-discovery and just beginning to understand the importance of self-care.
During my leave of absence, I lacked motivation and stopped taking physical care of myself. I quit my job, knowing that it no longer served me and shortly after hurting my back shovelling snow, I knew things needed to change or I was not going to come back from this.
I started to discover myself, understand what true self-care looked like and developed personal boundaries. I learned how to connect to myself, went to physiotherapy, began meditating, released 25 pounds, swam and exercised (movement). I love the word movement, for me, it creates the energy of flow, ease and enjoyment.
Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important - and one of the most often forgotten things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person or persons you care for will benefit, too.
