Caregiving

Caregiving is one of the most difficult jobs to have. If you are a caregiver you already know this. If you happen to provide caregiver services for an older family member while also raising your own younger children you are part of what has come to be called the “sandwich generation.” And, you might often feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do all that you need or want to do. Sound familiar?

Providing support to the caregiver is a very important part of the counseling services I offer as a therapist. Exhaustion caused by the daily grind of caregiving, impatience sometimes felt toward the care receiver, or the anger or helplessness experienced on a daily basis are a few of the issues that you can discuss openly and honestly with me in the context of a warm and supportive environment.

In addition to providing support with caregiving, I also spend time educating caregivers about a variety of topics, such as burnout and self-care. Many caregivers have a tendency to ignore their own needs while focusing on those of the care receiver.  It’s an honest mistake; you want to provide good care and thinking about yourself is often not part of the equation. The analogy I use is that of the instructions given at the beginning of every plane ride. We are told that if we are traveling with a young child or someone who needs our care, we should put on our oxygen mask first and then assist the child with his. Otherwise, we could pass out and be unable to help the child through the rest of the flight. It’s the same with caregiving. If you as the caregiver aren’t being taken care of both physically and emotionally, your ability to be an effective caregiver is compromised. I can help you recognize burnout and recover from it by teaching you simple self-care skills.

To provide you support with caregiving, make an appointment with my office today.