Compassion Fatigue: Family Caregivers May Need Respite Care
Victoria Respite Care | November 27, 2018
What Every Family in Victoria, BC, Needs to Know About Compassion Fatigue and Respite Care
Compassion Fatigue | Anytime family or friends are in a position of caring for a loved one, symptoms of chronic stress will likely appear. The loving care that’s provided to someone else can cause the caregiver to suffer emotionally and physically. This is a common problem called compassion fatigue.
What is Compassion Fatigue?
This term is often used when people are helping a loved one who is injured, ill or traumatized. Caregivers usually have the best intentions while trying to assist, not realizing that someone who is elderly, sick, or incapacitated can be an overwhelming burden – mentally, physically and emotionally.
Compassion fatigue may be similar to burnout, but it’s more unpredictable. Burnout may occur over time, whereas compassion fatigue can arrive suddenly. Burnout might be so severe that someone will even have to give up a job, or even an occupation. With compassion fatigue, caregivers can be treated much more easily with specific things to do for self-care while providing for a loved one.
Respite Care for Compassion Fatigue
It’s a must for caregivers to rejuvenate between their caregiving shifts or they may suffer intense emotional pain and physical fatigue. Caregivers must be on the watch for symptoms and stress management tools to continue to live healthily. Caregivers need to ask for assistance before things get too hard.
Common Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue:
- Withdrawal, isolation, or feelings of being disconnected
- Apathy or a lower threshold for compassion or empathy
- Problems arising in other relationships
- Feelings of inequity toward the caregiver relationship
- Loss of meaning in caregiving
- Destructive behaviours or substance abuse
- Unexplained headaches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weight loss
- Anger, irritability, anxiety
- Chronic exhaustion (emotional and physical)
- Feelings of dread, impending disaster or guilt
Of course, you probably have love and compassion for the one you care for, but that’s not enough to prevent emotional and physical fatigue. Comfort Keepers® understands compassion fatigue and how demanding to care for a loved one can be.
The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Victoria, BC, is Comfort Keepers®
Firstly, if you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. We offer senior care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more!
Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services
Aging in place means keeping seniors happy and healthy at home. Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers provide seniors with the highest quality of life possible. In particular, our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living.
Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™
Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit. Our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life.
Senior Homecare in Victoria, BC
Our unique services offer families respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care. To learn more, contact the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.
Comfort Keepers® Victoria is Proud to Provide Senior Care and Home Care Services to Keep Seniors Safe in Their Homes
If you are searching for home care near you, we can help! Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for Victoria and surrounding areas. Service territory includes Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.
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Comfort Keepers® Victoria has achieved Exemplary Standing accreditation from Accreditation Canada. This accreditation, a rigorous evaluation of organizational processes, policies, and procedures against established quality standards by industry experts, signifies that Comfort Keepers’ offices have successfully met or surpassed the stringent benchmarks for Home Care companies as defined by Accreditation Canada.
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