When a In our environment, the person needs constant care, is dependentUndoubtedly, life takes turns. Everything started to revolve around him. It’s something that Bertin Osborne and Fabiola Martinez They know very well, because of something that happened to them during the birth of their son, Kick Cerebral palsy. In an interview with Hello Number! This week, both talked about a fundamental aspect: Who cares for the caregiver?
“Until I learned that I had to prioritize myself and not force the machine, it had to hurt me a bit. And it was stressful. It was exhausting.. That’s when you realize how important it is to take care of yourself. When we take care of a person who needs us, we feel that we are somehow guilty if we devote even a minute to ourselves. And it’s not true. You put on autopilot and you say to yourself: ‘I’m a carer, this is what I had to do, I have to screw it up’. And you go all out and you wear and burn and break. It was difficult for me to understand. But, little by little, you realize it If you’re not good, you can’t help someone be good.. And what happens if it breaks? “You’re not there for anyone else,” Fabiola explained in that interview. And it is important to assume that: that Caregivers also need to take care of themselves.
The fundamental role of caregivers
No doubt a game for the carers important role in today’s societyAs they provide support for the care of another person in a dependent situation, either temporarily or permanently Help him meet his basic needs and contribution Improve your quality of life.
© Getty ImagesA physical and mental overload
Undoubtedly, we are facing a situation that is felt by many people in our country, who find themselves having to play an essential role, in situations like caring for a disabled person, child, adult or elderly. They are people with some disability and need a caregiver, a person – who In many cases it falls on the family– which despite being exposed regularly has not received any special attention Physical and mental overload. So much so that it usually involves sacrifice and even resignation, as many people are forced to reduce their working hours or even abandon their professional careers. You enter a very complex loop, and if you add the bond that normally exists with the person you care for, it’s not strange that Caregivers often suffer from physical and emotional problems derived directly from their roles. Thus, they may appear Symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression or depression.
Caregivers help people in dependent situations meet their basic needs and contribute to improving their quality of life.
What is caregiver syndrome?
As we mentioned at the beginning, life is suddenly turned upside down for both the patient and those around them. And there’s even talk Called caregiver syndrome. “It is a disorder that usually occurs in people who play the role of caregiver, who takes on that role in a person who needs help. This care is usually given to dependent people because they have a chronic illness, who are in a wheelchair, who have dementia, Alzheimer’s, someone who needs constant and permanent attention,” he elaborates. Monica Uretta, Vithas is a psychologist from Madrid Arturo Soria. “These people look up Facing situations that seem temporary but become permanent Where the caregiver becomes involved little by little but eventually drains their care and energy. There comes a time when this role is so assumed that the caregiver’s physical and emotional care ends,” says the expert.
© Adobe StockSymptoms of caregiver syndrome
It is important to know how this caregiver syndrome manifests itself, if detected, to take the necessary measures. Try to minimize its effects. Well, if the caregiver is sick, they may not be able to provide adequate care for those who need it. So, the danger signs are as follows:
- Caregivers can suffer Pain such as headache or back pain.
- Sleep disturbances also occur With early awakening.
- disappointment and annoyance.
- fatigue, a lot Physical as well as mental.
- its characteristics Depression and anxiety.
- You may fall into some exaggerations Tobacco or alcohol consumption.
- change the hunger
- frequent changes humor
- It is characterized by Social isolation For very obvious reasons: they are exclusively dedicated to the care of this family member.
- And finally, symptoms of cognitive difficulties may appear, such as lack of attention.
“What happens over time is they assume a burden that they are limited to continuing this care and They start living their life through another person And they neglect themselves,” the psychologist tells us.
The attendant does not realize his own exhaustion;
© Getty ImagesHow to Cope with Caregiver Syndrome
One of the problems is Caregivers take on burdens and more burdens. They tighten the rope, they don’t rest, they reach the limit… and eventually the symbolic rope we’re talking about can break. They need to stop from time to time, set certain limits, also, in this way, better practice their role with the dependent person. “The most important thing is to be aware that if you don’t know how to take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone. Careful rest is essential. The attendant does not realize his own weariness, The abstraction of that need on their part is common,” the doctor tells us. Julian Ruiz Bixauli, Internist at Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre, who added that there are cases where rest should be compulsorily imposed. “Caregiver Loneliness This is something we must eradicate. Teamwork helps prevent and alleviate many of the heavy burdens that come with being a caregiver,” she concludes.
“First it will be Ask for helpAlthough it is true that it is difficult for them to do so. The family doctor also plays a fundamental role at this time due to the number of visits that caregivers make to the family doctor due to family circumstances. It is important that they recognize the syndrome and can guide them if they have not previously done psychoeducational work. In this sense, Group therapy can be doneTeaching stress coping strategies, how to relieve anxiety and healthy lifestyle habits such as yoga or meditation. It is important to adapt to each person because it is very specific,” adds the psychologist, who explains to us that it is essential to achieve good adherence with these patients. They need to understand that they can be helped and that they can be helped with different techniques. “Also, with support therapy, patients progress in a healthy way as they listen to people in similar situations, which makes them feel less alone,” she notes.
© Getty ImagesAnd does the caregiver care?
This is, without a doubt, the million dollar question. As has become clear, caregivers are frequently exposed Stressful situations, physical and mental overload and even social isolation. On many occasions, these people have to reduce or give up their work activities to devote themselves to caring for others. Although, today, there is a very wide range of possible actions to improve the quality of life of caregivers, the support they receive is very limited.
For this reason, Mar Santamaria, Pharmacists responsible for PromoFarma Pharmaceutical Care, Shares a useful “decalogue for caring caregivers,” including reasons they should feel proud to care for others, despite all the sacrifices and efforts it takes, and practices and tips for doing so in the most tolerable way:
- Caring for other people is a job that requires a lot of physical and mental dedication. A huge task and not always visible, so you can Feel very proud to carry it.
- Be on the lookout for symptoms of “caregiver syndrome” anytime in your life, which is characterized by extreme fatigue. It is essential to recognize it and seek help in time.
- Don’t neglect your own care. You deserve it like everyone else.
- You must be able to Ask for help from your environment Whenever you need it.
- You should be able to toor has resourcesMeans equipment and adequate support.
- Remember that you can Contact organizations and associations in your area Patients who provide support to families.
- You always can Rely on health professionals: Reference doctors, nursing staff, local pharmacists, and social and community service professionals.
- It is important that you include it in your daily life Time to disconnect and relax.
- It is desirable that Share your concerns And avoid isolation.
- Finally, we must continue to demand Dignity and humane care for those who need it and recognize the essential role of their caregivers.
