Family Caregivers, Are You Suffering from Compassion Fatigue?
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.
At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care, overnight care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more!
Comfort Keepers® Victoria provides in-home elderly care services
Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ system provides care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).
Comfort Keepers® Victoria in-home caregivers can help with Interactive Caregiving™
Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs.
Learn more about our unique service which offers respite care, overnight care, personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting 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 me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of 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.
Quality and Accredited Respite Care for British Columbia Families
Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.
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