Being a caregiver to a Los Angeles hospice care patient is no easy feat but something that is done purely out of compassion for those in need. It is truly a calling and quite an admirable one. It is a highly demanding job and perhaps one of the most difficult. That is why if you are a caregiver yourself, it is essential to know how to look after yourself so you can perform your job as best as possible and function at an optimum level in your daily life without experiencing burnout.

Signs of caregiver stress include:

• Overwhelming feelings of anxiety.
• Poor quality of sleep.
• Difficulty maintaining work/life balance.
• Abusing substances to relieve stress.

What you can do to help yourself when you are stressed?

Set reasonable goals for your caregiving.

Have clear objectives, acknowledge the possibility of needing assistance with caregiving, and enlist the aid of others for some activities. For carers or family members of persons with diseases, local charities or religious institutions may offer support groups (in person or online). In addition, you will need to be realistic about the condition the person you are caring for has, and there will sometimes be limitations to what you can do for them.

Maintain a healthy diet.

A pick-me-up is not harmful in moderation, but junk foods only provide temporary pleasure. If you want to feel your best as much as possible, you will need to watch what you put into your body every day, and this helps not only with your physical health but with your mental well-being as well.

Have meaningful relationships with others around you.

Whether you are caring for someone in your own home or work in a professional Los Angeles hospice care setting, remember to always stay in close contact with other family members and maintain valuable friendships. This will help you feel like you have a support network, so you do not feel alone in your daily struggles. 

Exercise daily.

Even if you are not a gym rat, there are plenty of ways to keep your body moving. You can take walks daily in a nearby park or on the beach, and whatever kind of scenery relaxes you the most should be a part of your regular routine.

Ask for help when you need it.

If you feel you need mental health counseling to cope with your stress or burnout, find out which providers are available near you. Do not wait until the pressure is too much to bear. Reach out as soon as possible to learn better coping techniques you can use every day, even when you are not working.

Faith and Hope Hospice Can Help You

Our highly knowledgeable and trained Los Angeles hospice care team can help assist your relative in their final months of life. We know this may not be the easiest decision to make, and we want to reassure you that you do not have to be alone with your feelings during this process. We at Faith and Hope Hospice understand that everyone deserves access to excellent end-of-life care. That is why you can rely on each staff member at our 5-star hospice facility to ensure your loved one receives the highest quality Los Angeles hospice experience.