How do I get started with being an end-of-life caregiver?
If you’re thinking about becoming a caregiver to someone near the end of life, or if a person you care for is getting worse, the first step is to get help. There are services you can use:
- Hospice care: Hospice care is available to people with 6 months or less to live. A doctor can help you decide whether the person you care for should start hospice care.
- Professional caregivers: Professional caregivers, such as home health aides or trained nurses, can help with daily care.
- Respite care: Respite care can give you a break from caregiving, either for a few hours or several days.
What is caregiver burnout and how can I get help?
Being an end-of-life caregiver can be very rewarding because it means you can be there for a loved one during the last stage of their life. But it can also be exhausting and frustrating. Caregiver burnout can happen when the stress of caring for another person, with little or no time to take care of yourself, becomes overwhelming. Symptoms of caregiver burnout include:
- Anxiety (feeling worried all the time, even without an obvious cause)
- Depression (feeling sad, angry, or overwhelmed all the time, no matter what you do)
- Losing interest in things you like to do, or not wanting to be around friends and family
- Feeling tired all the time, or not being able to sleep
- Getting frequent headaches, or body aches and pains without an obvious cause
If you think you might have caregiver burnout, be sure to talk to your doctor. There are also things you can do every day that might help you take care of your health:
- Take a break from caregiver responsibilities. Maybe a family member can help out for a while, or you can use a local respite service (see resources)
- Move your body. Walking or moving for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week is best, but if that’s not possible, try to get up and stretch as often as you can during the day.
- Eat a healthy diet
- Try to get enough sleep. 7 hours every night is best.
- Call a friend or family member to stay connected
- Talking to a counselor or joining a local self-help group may help you take care of your mental health