Taking Care of Others, Wearing on Our Health?

One of my clients gave me an article about the care giving boomerang, and since Tuesday's are spiritual/body blogs I thought it would be appropriate to discuss what I learned in this article. Because people are living longer, people are now going through a second care giving stage (first with their children and then with their parents). Fifties should be a high point in one's life. The kids are grown, so you don't have to balance that with a job. Life should be about pursuing lost dreams and living, but unfortunately this is a time when many have to step into the role of caregiver. Almost 50 million Americans care for an adult who was once independent. The average caregiver is a 48-year old woman with at least one kid still at home and has a job. Care giving can be exhausting, averaging for five years. Most feel that it is an obligation, it's not something that anyone signs up to do. Worst of all is the stress (which leads to other health problems) and as a wellness facility we are concerned with overall health. Caregivers can feel exhausted but can't sleep (which we know the risk associated with a lack of sleep) which leads to chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels. Long term caregivers put themselves at high risk for all kinds of health issues. They have higher risks for: sleep deprivation, immune-system deficiency, depression, chronic anxiety, loss of concentration, and premature death. Not only do they suffer physically, but psychologically as well (feeling under appreciated for their dedication causing some of the worst damage). Eventually it gets to the point where they become to stressed and can't care give anymore and their parent (or whomever they taking care of) end up in a nursing home and then they feel more guilt for not being able to take care of them. What should people do then if they find themselves in a care giving position but they don't want to suffer all the health risks. If you can plan ahead and discuss with family and siblings ahead of time so that you are not alone. Another options are to join a support group.  Try and take at least an hour a day to do something you enjoy, every few weeks or months take longer. Taking care of people you love is important, but so is your health, so plan and take time to yourself to remain in wellness.