More Severe than Burnout, Compassion Fatigue is a Danger for Long-term Caregivers
Dear Carol: My parents and in-laws all lived to be very old, with years of physical and cognitive decline. I willingly cared for them all. While I’m glad I could do that for them, once they’d all passed, my husband and I wanted to enjoy our lives traveling and doing things we’d dreamed of. We took just one cruise before my husband had a debilitating stroke. Now, he’s miserable and depressed, and I’m feeling used up. I’ve experienced periods of burnout, but this is different. I love him dearly, and of course, I will continue to care for him, yet I feel distanced and flat. Almost numb. To do my best for my husband, I must find my way back toward really feeling again. Thank you for providing this anonymous outlet since I’m ashamed for anyone to know. – HY
Dear HY: My heart is with you. After more years of caregiving than most people could handle, you and your husband have had a shattering blow that has dramatically changed your celebratory plans. You’re likely suffering from compassion fatigue, something apart from caregiver burnout. There is no shame…
Continue reading on Inforum to learn more about compassion fatigue and how it differs from burnout:
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Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories – for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.
An inspiring read for caregivers! Minding Our Elders is a series of stories about caregiving. But it is much more than that. It’s a book that helps us view aging and community through the lens of someone well versed in eldercare. Author Carol Bradley Bursack has been a caregiver for a neighbor and six elderly members of her family. These experiences made her the perfect person to interview and share the stories of friends and acquaintances. Through crisp writing and a sharp focus, we enter the lives of those struggling to care for loved ones with dementia and other age-related illnesses. As I read Minding Our Elders, I felt myself filling up with both appreciation and admiration for those who adopt the caregiving role. In addition, I was struck with the inherent value Carol sees in our elders. This is a well-written book that will stir your heart! …Ann Campanella
