I am always looking for or trying to create relevant home care content for the website, all the gurus are constantly telling us that if we are going to post make sure it is relevant.  But really, what is that?

According to Merriam Webster relevant means: having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand.    That makes sense when writing for your website but one of the synonyms for relevant is relative and that leads directly to the subject of this post.

The other day I was having coffee with another home care agency owner and he related a story to me which has pursued me daily.  He was visiting a family for whom he provided a caregiver.  It was a Sunday afternoon and the elderly parent was with him in the living room as he sat and chatted with Continue reading “Tips to Keep Seniors Relevant in Your Family” »

Managing Caregiver burnout has become a popular topic lately and one that is very close to my heart as a person who provides professional caregivers to overwhelmed families.  Family caregiver burnout is also the main reason we started “Fourth Saturday Family Caregiver Groups” creating a safe place to voice frustrations and learn from others how to face the challenges many experience.

The good news is caregiver burnout can be avoided by learning to manage your care.

In a recent article by Diane Carbo in “SeniorsList” I found some wonderful information and positive steps to recognizing burnout and how to avoid it.

Recognizing that you have burnout is the first step.  Here are just some of the signs Diane lists:

• Difficulty with sleep, falling asleep, staying asleep
• Feelings of fatigue, lack of energy (physical and mental) even if you had a good nights sleep
• Easily becomes angered or unusually irritable
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Feelings of anxiety, frustration, guilt, depression or grief
• Feeling of hopelessness
• Lack feelings of joy or moments of happiness or enjoyment
• Neglected your own health and personal care
• Have a chronic health condition

She also gives a list of how to avoid the burnout syndrome.  Of course my favorite was the last one -

• talk out your feelings with others – Join a support group – Have a family meeting – Seek professional help or talk with your spiritual counselor.

It’s a great article which you can read in its entirety by clicking HERE.