The Need for Self-Care for “Sandwich Generation” Caregivers | Visiting
Do you find yourself in a situation where you are both raising children and having the added responsibility of providing elder care to a parent? If so, you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone; in fact, you are now officially a part of the “sandwich generation,” a generation of adults who are both caring for one or more aging parents and at least one child.
According to the Pew Research Foundation, the sandwich generation is made up of 23% of adults; for adults in their 40s, this number is more than 50%. Since 18% of people in the U.S. currently live in multigenerational households, a number that has nearly quadrupled since the 1970s, this sandwich generation is likely to continue to grow.
Unfortunately, the responsibility of caring for loved ones on both sides of the care spectrum is that your own self-care is what usually suffers. The question to ask yourself is this: If you burn out, who will be there to care for your loved ones?
By becoming aware of the signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout, you can learn to avoid them by asking for help … before your situation gets out of control.
Signs of Caregiver Burnout
Recognizing the early signs of caregiver burnout can help you prevent the negative physical and emotional ramifications. They include:
- Often feeling anxious, angry, irritable, resentful, or guilty
- No longer feeling joy in family and social situations
- Focusing intensely on your caregiving responsibilities
- Having no interest in exercising or socializing
- Experiencing frequent headaches, backaches or other physical pain
- Not getting enough adequate sleep
- Sudden changes in weight
- Excessive eating, smoking, or drinking
Simply pushing through the stress can have serious consequences for your physical and mental health, and can take a toll on your relationships, and even your ability to care for your loved ones.
Studies show that a third of unpaid caregivers report having mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, or substance use. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you ask for help.
Related reading: Moms Caring for Moms: Home Care Helps Caregiver Burnout
Prioritize Your Own Self-Care
Taking care of yourself needs to be a priority. Just as airlines remind you to put your own mask on in the event of an emergency before attempting to assist others, you need to take care of yourself so that you are able to provide care to your loved ones for the months and years ahead.
Join a support group to connect with others in your situation, ask friends and family members to pitch in to help, and/or hire a professional caregiver to share the load, so that you can free up time to eat well, get enough sleep and exercise, and take a much needed break.
Of course, if self-care isn’t helping to relieve the stress, be sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor or a mental health professional.
Related reading: 10 Realistic Ways to Manage Caregiver Stress
Visiting Angels Milford is Here to Help
Trying to be everything for everyone all the time isn’t sustainable. By making your own self-care a priority, you will be better equipped to provide care for your family, not to mention you will be happier and healthier.
Visiting Angels Milford is here when you need a helping hand. We offer respite care services that are designed to provide family caregivers with relief from their duties as the primary caregiver. Whether you need a few hours, an overnight, or even a few days, the respite care plans at Visiting Angels are flexible and can be scheduled as needed.
Give us a call at (508) 473-4300 or Contact Us through our website to schedule a free home care consultation today.