HealthyPlusFeb15spreads - Flipbook - Page 11
Avoiding
caregiver burnout
Taking care of yourself
while taking care of others
C
aregiving for a loved one of any age and under any circumstance is often
hard and lonely work. In addition to the physical demands that caregiving
may require, the emotional toll is very real.
According to Aaron Brush, senior companion
and caregiver coordinator at the Southwestern
Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA), “The most
important thing caregivers can do to ensure
they are able to care for their loved one is to
take care of themselves. All too often, caregivers
are so focused on the needs of others that they
neglect their own health and mental well-being.
Eventually they get burned out.”
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Signs of caregiver burnout include:
Physical and emotional fatigue
Increased stress and anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability
Depression
Feeling lonely or trapped
New or worsening health problems
Struggling to find joy in daily life
“ People are often
surprised by the amount
of resources available to
caregivers. And all you
have to do is call.”
– Aaron Brush
Caregivers need care, too
For many caregivers, the notion of taking a break
from their responsibilities seems impossible. But
the truth is there are numerous resources and
organizations available to help make it happen.
Brush says, “People are often surprised by the
amount of resources available to caregivers. And all
you have to do is call.”
Services provided by SVCOA include:
• Access to respite care including grants to help
cover associated costs
• Access to senior companions to keep loved
ones company or accompany them on errands,
appointments or to grab coffee
• Access to homemaking support to assist with
household tasks including laundry, taking out
the garbage, cooking, and light housekeeping
• Caregiver education classes and support
programs
Brush notes they can also assist caregivers in
connecting with other agencies that provide
services beyond SVCOA’s scope.
Care for those who care for children
In recent years, more and more older adults and
extended family members are filling the role
of caregiver to young children and even infants.
While the demands of caring for children are
often different than those of caring for an aging
adult, the risk of burnout is just as real. “That’s
why we developed the Kin Care Group,” says Linda
Darlington, Family Support worker with UCS.
“The group brings together individuals who have
custody of children from within their family. In
addition to sharing their experiences, the group
directs them to resources to help them care for
themselves as well as the child in their charge. It’s
important for care providers in this situation to
know that others are facing the same challenges
and that support is available.” +
Help is here
Local resources for caregivers:
VT:
MA:
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging
802-442-5436 | HelpLine: 800-642-5119 | svcoa.org
InterAge Adult Day Program,
Second Thursday of every month: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Elder Services of Berkshire County
413-499-0524 | esbci.org
Meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Mary Spitzer
Senior Center in North Adams, 1 p.m.
Bennington Project Independence,
Last Tuesday of each month: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Kin Care Group
413-884-5589 | kincare@ucsvt.or
Meet via Zoom the last Thursday of every month, 6:30–8 p.m.
8 | HEALTHY+ | WINTER/SPRING 2022
NY:
NY Connects
518-270-2730
SVHEALTHCARE .ORG | HEALTHY+ | 9