Carmen Bowen-Wright
OVER THE PAST WEEK, apart from the care I give to my patients, I had a new experience. I was placed in the situation of most caregivers, that is, devoting my entire time (day and night) to an ill loved one. With this experience fresh in my mind, I consider myself an expert to pass on advice to others on how caregivers might strive to maintain their own wellness. By wellness, I mean an all-encompassing wellness with physical, mental, spiritual and occupational components.
Who are we talking about, when we speak of caregivers? The public tends to think of professionals, such as nurses, doctors, practical nurses (especially) and other professionals. However, I want to inform you that some of the most competent, caring and loving caregivers are non-professionals and they are in the majority in our country. It is to them especially, that I devote this article, while not excluding my professional colleagues.
Non-professional caregivers though mostly women, also involve many of our men. Some of them are quite young and may be caring for a grandmother or grandfather. Many, especially women, are postmenopausal or just about to experience menopause. Often, despite their health problems, they are caring for a mother, father, sibling, an adult with a disability or an elderly relative left behind by an emigrant.
BURNOUT
The scenario in which they perform their duties to the patient, often leaves one to understand why caregivers suffer 'burnout'. By that is meant feelings of fatigue, depression, low energy levels, wanting a break from their duties.
Amazingly, however, despite the 'burnout', they remain committed to caring. I say most, as I remember an incident where one of my patients, a caregiver looking after an Alzheimer's patient came to me saying, "Miss G slapped me in the face again today and I can't take it no longer, so I slapped her in return, locked her in the house and called her rich Jewish daughter who I work for to come get her."
I recognised 'burn out' when she gave me details of her relationship with the patient. Acting as a 'broker' I discussed the situation with the employer and asked her to let my patient have a break as I could find a professional practical nurse (more expensive though) to cover while my patient took a two-week break.
All caregivers work long hours, sometimes around the clock. They often have difficulty getting anything done outside of their duties. The doctor may have a spouse or a messenger to perform duties such as paying the taxes, light bill and so on. The nurse or professional practical nurse is entitled to vacation and sick leave. The non-professionals have no such privileges. They either are 'live-ins' or they are doing the caring in their own homes. The cared for become emotionally, sometimes physically attached to caregivers. Caregivers must perform all tasks necessary for their patients' diet and feeding, oral and bodily hygiene, exercise and medication and often provide entertainment. The result - abject neglect of their own state of health and wellness.
(December 21: Some dos and don'ts in caring for caregivers).
Dr. Carmen Bowen-Wright is a preventive medicine specialist and wellness physician; phone: 927-4301; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
