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
Why Do Persons with Dementia and Alzheimers STOP Eating or Drinking? What to DO? 🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖
#alzheimer #alzheimerawareness #elderlycare #nutritionandlifestyle #nutritionist #healthyaging #brainhealth #seniorcare #familycaregivers #thelonggoodbye
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Dementia and its most common subset, Alzheimer’s disease are neurological brain disorders that cause impairment with memory, thinking skills, and behaviour.
Daunting? Yes!
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖As these diseases progress, they often affect taste, smell and mood, as well making mealtimes and hydration a "battle of wills"😖
Dangers: Dehydration, constipation, infection, frailty, poorer immune system, falls, fractures, death.
Reasons:
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Pain
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Depression and apathy - no desire
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖arthritis in the jaw- eating is just uncomfortable
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Infection especially lungs and bladder - let's not forget anosmia from COVID-19
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Some medication alter taste
🤷🏽♀️🍽️🥤😖Memory Impairment-- they simply forget to eat
What can you do?
🍽️🥤😊 Vary the colours and textures of food and the utensils; use "watery fruit" such as watermelob
🍽️Lightweight cups and mugs are easier to hold
🍽️🥤Be alert to signs of dehydration and when you may need the doctor
🍽️🥤 Seek the advice of the nutritionist
🍽️🥤When nothing works- walk away , cool heads and come back in a few minutes
🍽️🥤Eating is a SOCIAL event-, so eat WITH them- selfcare, comraderie, familiarity.
Let us embrace these "new normals" in an atmosphere of acceptance, understanding, empathy and love
One day/hour at a time
From my heart to yours💗
Dr. Lana
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Overwhelmed? Let's connect: 📧lana@lanaannemd.com
For more insights and connect for a FREE face-to-Face 15 minute Zoom call, and a place where we can connect as Family Caregivers and fellow Physicians on my website: lanaslittlethings.com.
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!💯
