Video Transcript
[0:00] Welcome to Caregiver SOS by Bay Alarm Medical.
[0:03] My name is Haley Burress. I’m a caregiving expert here to talk about the ugly side of caregiving that no one else talks about — the most frustrating and challenging parts of caring for an aging family member, and how to get through it.
[0:16] Let’s tackle a serious question about caregiver health: I’ve been caregiving for my mom for years now. It’s really difficult for me, more so over the past few months. I’m sick all the time. Caregiving is wrecking my own health. Is it ever okay to quit caregiving for my mom?
[0:33] Family caregiving isn’t easy, and it can lead to some serious mental and physical health complications for some caregivers. I’ve worked with family members before whose health has seriously suffered.
[0:47] One man in particular was caring for his wife in their home. She was living with dementia and was up and pacing for hours at a time during the night, which meant he was up with her as well. He wasn’t sleeping at night and was stressed and overwhelmed during the day.
[1:05] Eventually his health declined and he ended up in the emergency room with a heart attack. His kids had to have a serious conversation with him and with one another — caring for his wife was negatively affecting his health.
[1:20] The family chose to give their dad every chance to live a healthy life and moved their mom into a memory care community close by. This way their dad could visit whenever he wanted, but he no longer had to be the primary caregiver around the clock.
[1:36] Of course, the dad was sad — he was no longer living with the love of his life. But he was much healthier, and his kids didn’t have to worry about him sacrificing his own wellbeing.
[1:47] If your health is suffering, you can no longer continue the way that you are. You must prioritize your health and your wellness. Ask for help to find a new arrangement for your aging loved one, and make sure people are stepping in to bridge the gap between now and that new plan — so that you can step back from your caregiving role and focus on your own life, balance, and health.
[2:12] Do what’s best for you.
[2:14] Like and subscribe for more caregiving advice.
