Caregivers Article
Compassion Fatigue
Being a caregiver is hard work. Caregiving is not just “taking care” of another person, whether it be a spouse, parent or child, but it’s also about listening and seeing the stories of those we help.The Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project www.compassionfatigue.org states that compassion fatigue is experiencing constant stress due to being in caregiving roles and exposure to trauma based needs. How do I know if I’m experiencing compassion fatigue? Here are some of the symptoms to look for:
• Physical manifestations of pain
• Insomnia
• High blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Headaches/migraines
• Irritability
• Under or over-eating (each person is different)
• Indigestion
• Frustration with work or loved ones
• Apathy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• And much more
How do I know if I’m experiencing the stress from these symptoms? Ask yourself:
• Do I seem to be more stressed coming or going from work?
• Do I think about the things encountered at work when at home?
• Do I find reasons to not come in to work?
• Do I avoid certain assignments more than others because they are bothersome?
• Do I find myself emotionally invested more than I should be?
• Do I find that when leaving work I have headaches or stomach aches?
Resilience is the key to helping us cope with compassion fatigue. What can I do?
• Acknowledge your struggles
• Express your feelings
• Find support systems/people
• Identify self-care techniques
• Have positive hobbies/activities separate from work
What can I do to take care of myself?
• Spending time with loved ones/friends – not in a caregiving role
• Reading a book
• Enjoying a nice dinner
• Exercising
• Time with your furry friends
• Long walk
• Vacation
• Whatever helps you unwind!!
It is important for us to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others. It has been said that “you are no good to others if you are not in a good place”. When we are in a good place we are most effective and we are most authentic in helping others. The Compassion Fatigue website gives a lot of good information, resources and suggested readings to assist us in recognizing and helping us with compassion fatigue. For more information, go to: http://www.compassionfatigue.org Permission to use information given by Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project.
Comments:
QUESTIONS
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My Mom is disabled, she should be doing physical therapy but she refuses to help herself and wont let us help her, she ignores her health completely and sits around all day drinking and taking her prescription pills and is in and out of the hospital, she's becoming a danger to herself and refuses to see it. what are the laws to putting her into a rehab or nursing home.
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I live in another state, mother lives in AZ. are all POA's from state to state? Do I need to get a POA from AZ for her?
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Does a caregiver have to sign a rental agreement with my landlord? If not, what proof do I need.
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I am in probate I hga ve a title that is in my maiden name and my deceased mother had a lien on it with the department of dmv probate said I had to get legal advice how to lift this lien off this title because she has to no the lien amount because its taxable but dmv said they don't require a amont on lien can someone help me please what do I need to do
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My boyfriend's grandmother moved in with us about a year ago. We go on vacation in NY every year. She wants to stay here alone. Her doctor said she was no longer able to live alone.I don't want her to stay here alone:. My boyfriend is her POA and he is okay with her staying here while we are gone. My question is if anything happens to her while we are away., such as a fall, fire, break in anything really are we liable? What are the laws on this and where can I find information on my legal responsibility?
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If a single adult is injured and unable to make any decisions, will the court appoint a family member to become their guardian? If so, how is this done?
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if I pay for a friend to bring in food and she charges a small fee for preparation -is she considered an employee and do I need to pay taxes?
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I need info pertaining to my rights power of attorney for my father and how to keep ex-stepmother from getting his pension.
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How do we change the guardianship of my mentally disabled bother from my mother who is now ill herself, to another family member? Also is it possible to have more than one guardian? This would help to prevent this situation in the future if it was possible.
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I have had my elderly parents living with me for the last 2.5 years. We have had to buy a larger house to accommodate them plus our children. How much of the household expenses (mortgage, utilities, food, etc.) can they contribute to (they have IRA's and social security) without a tax problem for me. I do not claim them as dependents on my taxes.
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