Care for Caregivers: How to Help Yourself as You Help Someone Else
Caring for an aging loved one can be one of life’s most rewarding and demanding experiences. When you’re offering time, energy and emotional support to someone you love, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, without proper self-care, caregivers often find themselves physically and mentally drained.
The Weight of Caregiving
Caring for aging parents or loved ones comes with many challenges. You may find yourself juggling doctor’s visits, managing medications or taking on tasks that your loved one used to be able to do for themselves. It can be emotionally distressing to witness their decline in health and independence, leading to feelings of helplessness and frustration.
Today, nearly 20% of the U.S. adult population provides unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs. For many caregivers, this burden comes alongside raising children — they are members of what’s known as the “sandwich generation,” looking after an aging loved one while also supporting their young ones. Financial stress often follows, with almost half of caregivers reporting that they’ve taken on debt to support their loved one. The emotional toll is equally significant. Prolonged stress can lead to burnout, anxiety and depression, making it crucial for caregivers to prioritize their well-being.
Self-Care for the Caregiver
As you navigate the demands of caregiving, remember that caring for yourself is essential to maintaining the strength needed to help others. Some strategies to consider include:
Support Groups: Connecting with others who share similar experiences can be incredibly validating. Look for local or online caregiver support groups.
Mental Health Resources: Don’t hesitate to ask your loved one’s doctor for a referral to caregiver mental health services. You deserve support as much as the person you’re caring for.
Self-Care: Make space for what helps you recharge, like exercising, reading or spending time with friends.
Boundaries: It’s okay to say no sometimes, and perfectly reasonable that you may not be able to meet all your loved one’s needs. Define your limits and don’t overextend yourself. Caring for someone else doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.
Take time to care for yourself—because you matter, too.
Additional Resources
- The Sandwich Generation of Caregivers
- Combatting Loneliness as We and Our Loved Ones Age
- If you or someone you know is older and struggling mentally, or needs support while caring for an aging loved one, you can find more resources through the National Council on Aging at www.ncoa.org.
- Mindful Advocates: In a unique role exclusive to Blue KC health plans, Mindful Advocates are available 24/7 at 833-302-MIND (6463). A Mindful Advocate can offer in-the-moment support and help Blue KC members access tools, including in-person, text, online therapy, and virtual care options specific to the member’s behavioral healthcare needs.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress and prevention and crisis resources.
- In-person and virtual trainings for employer groups: The Blue KC Behavioral Health Team offers training sessions to your company or organization, including trainings about caregiver stress.
This article is brought to you by Lucet. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City partners with Lucet to optimize our members’ access to behavioral health services. For more information call the behavioral health number on your member ID card or login to your member portal at MyBlueKC.com. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1. If you are experiencing a behavioral health emergency call or text, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.
