4 Steps to Avoid Compassion Fatigue and Be Your Best Self as a Caregiver

Supporting a loved one who needs care often comes naturally and stems from kindness; however, months or years of caregiving can take a serious toll on your health. Prolonged, stressful caregiving may lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion, a type of burnout known as compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue is defined as a state of tension and preoccupation with the trauma or cumulative stress of those you care for, often manifesting in ways similar to PTSD.

Ann Mehl, a certified coach specializing in life and career transitions at the Boston College Alumni House, shares her experience caring for her mother with dementia and provides practical tools and self-care strategies for caregivers.

Signs you may need to recharge include:

• Fatigue
• Reduced productivity
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Trouble concentrating
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Poor eating habits

Tips on how to cope with Compassion Fatigue:

1. Replenish the Well
   - Do something for yourself every day, even if it’s just five minutes of quiet time without distractions.
2. Accept Help
   - Sharing the caregiving responsibilities may require planning and delegation. This could mean asking family members for support or working with a professional home care agency.
3. Take Off Your Caregiver Hat
   - Step away from the caregiving environment whenever possible to stay connected to the world outside.
4. Accept the Moment
   - Let go of the need to fix everything. Some situations are nearly impossible to solve; focus instead on being present and supportive for your loved one.

We recommend: "Address Caregiver Stress before you are a mess"

Check out these articles for more information:

• Self Care Tips for the Caregiver of an Ill Loved One
• Receiving Care when you are a caregiver, Whole living Magazine
• Things to remember when they forget
• Remembering The Last Act: Link to Article
• Ann Mehl, Certified Life & Career Coach: Link to Webpage
• Caregiver Confessions: "When You're In Over Your Head."
• Marketwatch "Caregivers play a crucial role."

care•giv•er   (kâr g v  r)
n.
1. An individual, such as a physician, nurse, or social worker, who assists in the identification, prevention, or treatment of an illness or disability.

2. An individual, such as a parent, foster parent, or head of a household, who attends to the needs of a child or dependent adult.