Hospice News

Hospice and Palliative Care Center Offers Suggestions to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Providing daily care for a sick or disabled loved one can be rewarding, as well as physically and emotionally exhausting. Balancing the demands of work, home and caregiving are often a struggle.  Studies have revealed that individuals who are coping with caregiving get sick more often than the general population.  They also have a higher incidence of depression and are more prone to developing a chronic illness.  When you are the caregiver it is important that you save some caring and compassion for yourself.

The Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, offers the following suggestions for individuals coping with the responsibilities of caregiving.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Asking for help does not mean you are being disloyal, uncommitted, or uncaring.  Family members and friends are often willing to sit with your loved one so you can run errands or pick something up at the store.  Home care and adult day care services are also excellent resources for assistance.
• Eat properly and exercise.  Making sure you are in good health is as important as ensuring your loved one is well cared for.  Taking a 15-20 minute walk each day will not only improve your physical well being, but can also relieve stress and anxiety.  Eating three balanced meals a day, that are low in fat, sodium, and sugar, will keep your energy level high and provide your body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. 
• Make time for yourself.  Take time each day to do something you enjoy.  Whether it is sitting quietly with a cup of tea, listening to music, or reading a favorite magazine, participating in leisure activities will give you a fresh perspective and help re-energize you.
• Acknowledge your emotions.  It is not uncommon for caregivers to feel guilt, anger, resentment, anxiety, or frustration.  If these emotions become overwhelming, and/or begin interfering regularly in your activities of daily living, it may be appropriate to reach out for the help of a professional therapist, social worker, or support group.  You primary care physician or local hospice organization can provide you with a list of available resources.   
• Be prepared.  Educating yourself about the options available if your loved one’s illness or disability progresses will help you avoid making important decisions under the pressure of time or resource constraints.  Taking the opportunity to research long-term care or assisted living facilities and investigate local health care organizations that provide home care, hospice, or palliative care services can save you undo stress should the need for these services arise in the future.

Established in 1981, the Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, located at 95 Old Short Hills Road in West Orange, provides comprehensive care for patients with advanced illness, and their families, throughout ten counties in the State of New Jersey.

The Center supports inpatient units at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ, as well as Van Dyke Hospice at Community Medical Center in Toms River.  It also provides home care and services for individuals in long-term care and assisted living facilities.

The Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, which serves infants, children, adults and the elderly, honors the unique choices and values of patients and their families and offers full access to the broad array of services provided by the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.

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