Compassion Fatigue What is it? Is this YOU?#compassionfatigue #caregiverburnout #familycaregivers #emotionalhealth #emotionalrollercoasters #anxietyanddepression #familydynamics #dementiacare #dementiasupport #seekhelp
You have cared and cared, and taken care of- and now you can care NO MORE!😩😩
COMPASSION FATIGUE may be defined this way:
"When a caregiver takes on the emotional stress and trauma of a person within their care. It causes a lack of empathy (understanding the feelings and situations of someone else) or a lack of care for the person within your care."
Some signs and symptoms:
4 PHYSICAL:
1/🕯️Changes in sleep patterns - especially unable to get or stay asleep
2/🕯️ Physical exhaustion- you feel listless
3/ 🕯️Changes in appetite and/or weight. (increased or decreased)
4/ 🕯️Unexplained headaches- notably. a throbbing" sensation top, sides or forehead
4 EMOTIONAL
1/ 🕯️Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones - you just don't want to talk to anyone - you DISCONNECT, especially if you feel no one cares
2/🕯️Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed - don't have the energy to care
3/ 🕯️Feeling hopeless and helpless, irritable; (and yes, even resentment towards the person you care for angry, sad, guilty😡😤😒🥹
4/ 🕯️You self-neglect in many ways - you may see no point, or could not care for how people see you- it doesn't matter😔
What CAN you do?
4 WAYS TO COPE:
1/ 😊Be AWARE of your feelings- it happens- it's normal ; NOTHING is "wrong with you"💓
2/ 😊🫂TALK- share how you feel with a trusted friend who maybe able to offer suggestions , or even practical assistance. The BEST "Listener " is GOD, -pray and pray and pray!
3/ 💃🏽🚶🏽🏃🏽🎽👟EXERCISE- even 5 minutes a day- go to the bathroom just to take some deep breaths!
4/ 😊🫂CONNECT! with friends- Facetime, a phone call, or invite for a cup of tea- whatever you do , you need to be with "your tribe"
💥💥Call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (U.S.). Someone is available to help you 24/7. Seek your local hotline crisis centre if you feel so overwhelmed that you are considering self harm.
When you have been thrust into this role and feel that all your best efforts at the daily grind is more than you can bear, compassion fatigue is a condition that NEEDS help; it is more than just "feeling tired".
The "superhero cape" needs to come off and it's time for YOU.
You got this!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
LLT# 209 - "Sundowning" : Why Do Persons with Dementia "Change" When the Sun Sets?👵🏽👴🏽🌇😕
#sundowning #dementia #dementiasupport #dementiacaretipsandtricks #delirium #moodchange #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #mindfulness #habits
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"SUNDOWNING" : a term that can cause confusion as much as it causes distress in both the person with dementia and the entire family!
This term "sundowning" refers to a state of increasing confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night.
Some symptoms can be more distressing than others: as it seems that your loved one goes from baseline Dementia or Alzheimer's disease to plain bizarre behaviour - almost everyday at sunset!
🌇😕Is THIS your reality?
🌇😕Why does it happen?
🌇😕What can you do?
The good news, if you can call it such, is that - SUNDOWNING is NOT a disease, and although it has no known cause/source, there ARE ways to recognise signs and mitigate the daily disruption.
Some causes:
🌇😕Suddenly changing environments, such as the doctor's office or visiting relatives , or transitioning to another care facility
🌇😕Low lighting in the day, can increase shadows, which may cause the person to become confused by what they see and what time of day it actually is. This can be harsh enough to cause hallucinations and increased agitation
🌇😕Trouble separating reality from dreams
🌇😕infection, such as a urinary tract infection , pneumonia
A mixed-up "internal body clock." Often the person living with Alzheimer's may feel tired during the day and awake at night.
🌇😕Pain or boredom
Common SYMPTOMS:
🌇😕Confusion aggression
🌇😕Anxiety
🌇😕Aggression or
🌇😕Ignoring directions.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
😊🌇✅Keep a predictable routine for bedtime, waking, meals and activities --HABITS
😊🌇✅Limit daytime napping
😊🌇✅When /if possible, spend time outside in the sunlight during the day, or open the curtains to let sunlight in : reduces day/night confusion
😊🌇✅Listening to calming music and looking at older photographs (TV is generally a distraction)
😊🌇✅Talk to the person's doctor about the best times of day for taking medication.; some calming teas or natural herbs or traditional medication may help - (THIS CHANNEL DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY SPECIFIC MEDIACL THERAPY)
Observe, Seek help, Ask questions!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours always💗
Dr. Lana
Family Caregiver Burnout - When It's TOO MUCH 🕯️😤
#caregiverburnout #familycaregivers #emotionalhealth #emotionalrollercoasters #anxietyanddepression #familydynamics #dementiacare #dementiasupport #seekhelp
Family Caregiving is NOT for the faint hearted and despite our best intentions, the daily grind, the fatigue, the unexpected (almost everyday!), the loneliness, can lead to a cascade of emotions that can be difficult to understand, much less process, and leave you feeling as if "there is no way out".
When this goes on and on and there is that feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, consider the possibility that your "candle" is "burning down" and you are on fumes, endangering your health as you devote irretrievable time and money to care for your loved one, with the best of intentions.
CAREGIVER BURNOUT can be defined as :
"A state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that can happen when you dedicate time and energy to manage the health and safety of someone else. Caregivers who experience burnout may feel tired, stressed, withdrawn, anxious and depressed. Caregiver burnout can impact a person in various ways, including physically, psychologically, financially and socially".
Some signs and symptoms:
🕯️Emotional and physical exhaustion.
🕯️Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones.
🕯️Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
🕯️Feeling hopeless and helpless.
🕯️Changes in appetite and/or weight.
🕯️Changes in sleep patterns.
🕯️Unable to concentrate.
🕯️Getting sick more often.
🕯️Irritability, frustration or anger toward others, many times against family members and friends who just don't seem to understand.
💥💥Call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (U.S.). Someone is available to help you 24/7. Seek your local hotline crisis centre if you feel so overwhelmed that you are considering self harm.
When you have been thrust into this role and feel that all your best efforts at the daily grind is more than you can bear, burnout is a condition that NEEDS help; it is more than just "feeling tired".
The "superhero cape" needs to come off and it's time for YOU.
You got this!
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
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If you're a Family Caregiver at your wit's end, needing a different perspective, set up your free 15-minute coaching call-also by email -lana@lanaannemd.com - or on www.lanaslittlethings.com
I always look forward to meeting Fellow Family Caregivers- we gotta stick together!💯
