A caregiver is a family member, spouse or friend that cares and supports a person so that 'They are sick. Unlike a nurse, doctor or other healthcare professional, the work of a family caregiver is 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. They do what they do for love or friendship with the person who has mesothelioma.
Many times someone who is sick has a primary caregiver and other friends and family who help the primary care provider as needed. Anyone who cares for and helps in any way to take care of the beloved is called a caregiver.
Features caregivers
The list of things that caregivers are seemingly endless. There are practical things that need support, such as driving the patient to appointments, monitoring medications, helping shower when they are weak and cooking for them.
Then there are the chores that the person who is sick can not do, such as mowing the lawn, grocery shopping, paying bills, doing laundry and cleaning. Caregivers usually have to take these chores.
Perhaps the most difficult aspects of being a caregiver is the emotional and social challenges. Caregivers spend a lot of time worrying about their loved disease, and it usually affects the sleep patterns of a caregiver.
Usually, the primary caregiver takes the role of communicator on how the patient is doing to all family and friends of patients. It is important to note that on top of all these caring responsibilities, the carer has its own responsibilities such as their tasks and households.
It is easy to see how a caregiver can become overworked. We call this "caregiver stress."
Managing Caregiver Stress
Stress is a term that is used in many ways. When we feel like our to-do list beyond our time, energy or resources to get everything done, we feel distress - which is another word for negative stress
the chronic symptoms of distress may include :.
- tired
- poor concentration
- Worry
- Mood Swings
- frequent crying
- poor sleep
- Breathlessness
- Racing heartbeat
- Change in appetite
When a loved one has mesothelioma, caregivers can be used for months or even years , and caregiver stress can become chronic.
the first step in managing stress is to recognize the presence of caregiver stress in yourself or those you love. Many times it is not as easy as it sounds. Caregivers, by definition, are used to care and pay attention to their loved one with mesothelioma, and possibly in a habit of putting their own needs on the back burner.
There are many things caregivers can do to reduce the distress they feel. help Acceptance of offers may be most beneficial. Many times when someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, neighbors, family and friends say: "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help"
Au. at diagnosis and early treatment, these offers of help may not be necessary. However, weeks and months of treatment can cause the caregiver to feel tired and less able to handle the stress of delivery care daily.
It is important to reach out and ask for help from those people who have offered. Ideally, when someone offers help, specific things are offered. specific examples would help, "I can walk your dog for you." or "I can drive you to visit your doctor." in this way, patients and caregivers know who to ask for certain types help. If someone offers to help with anything, assign a task or duty which would help the most.
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care for the caregiver is also important in caregiver stress management. When someone you love has mesothelioma, it is too easy to let your own physical, social and emotional needs take a back seat to those of the patient. However, over time this is not a healthy habit.
Many caregivers say, "How can I go get a haircut or having lunch with my friend when my beloved is at home sick after chemo? "It is very important to recognize that activities that may seem selfish are the very things that keep us balanced, physically and emotionally.
Take the time to go for a walk by yourself, go to the physician for assessment year or visiting family are rejuvenating and help us recharge our caregivers "batteries." this allows us to continue to do what we want to do, which is to continue to take care of our unique with loved mesothelioma .
it is difficult to take special care of your friend, spouse or family member when they are sick, physically and emotionally, but many caregivers say they appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate their love and concern for someone so close to them.
stress of caregivers can potentially affect all care, and it is critical to recognize the symptoms of it so that caregivers do not end getting sick - physically or emotionally -. themselves
This material has been shared in recent virtual mesothelioma support group.
do not miss the next mesothelioma support group, Wednesday, August 14 Register today!
