Caregiving can be very challenging. This is often exacerbated when the person that you have to care for is your spouse. That’s because the role can become both mentally and emotionally taxing. In fact, according to one scientific study, researchers have found that spousal caregivers are very likely to suffer from depression.
Usually, this depression and other mental issues come from the severe emotional toll that caregiving takes on the spouse who is in that role. This is amplified even more by diseases like dementia and Alzheimers. That’s because these diseases strip a person of the cognitive ability to relate to their spouse which usually also means the person is not able to be physically incapable of engaging in traditional intimacy.
It is therefore not uncommon to need help. That help could be in the form of a home care agency or even by getting your partner the equipment they need to make their physical life a little easier like motorized wheelchairs or walkers. that can help reduce some of the physical strain.
Caregiving Burnout
Due to all the things we’ve mentioned above many caregivers inevitably feel burnout. Burnout occurs when the tiredness of the role leads to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These are some of the signs that you may be experiencing if you are suffering from caregiver burnout:
- Anxiety, depression, and irritability
- Feeling tired and hopeless
- Difficulty sleeping
- Drinking, smoking, or eating more
- New or worsening health issues
- Problems concentrating and handling your responsibilities
- Feeling increasingly resentful
- Neglecting your own needs and leisure time
- Have trouble relaxing even when there’s help around
- Feeling impatient and irritated towards the person you’re caring
If you are feeling any of these symptoms, there are many steps that you can take to try and mitigate them. We can help show you a way forward through Medicaid planning.
Home health services – Through one of these agencies, we can help provide home health aides and nurses for short-term care if your loved one is seriously ill.
Adult daycare – These are ideal for giving seniors a place to socialize, do activities, and get needed medical care.
Nursing homes or assisted-living facilities – Sometimes these facilities offer short-term stays to give caregivers a break.
Private care aides – With private care professionals you can get help from someone who is experienced and who helps manage care and services.
Caregiver support services – This is another way that caregivers recharge their batteries, meet others facing similar issues, find more information, and locate additional resources.
National organizations – It might also be a good idea to look for local chapters that help people with conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and stroke. These groups can provide resources and information about respite care and support groups.