The caregivers provide many services and benefits to those who have medical problems and need help in their daily lives.
Our hat is off to caregivers who sacrifice their own lives to help others!
However, the constant pressures of being a caregiver can cause depression and medical problems for them.
Caregivers try to maintain a positive attitude and provide the help that is needed. The pressures of all that can cause depression in the caregivers. That depression is frequently not realized or known to others and in some cases, even the caregivers themselves are not aware of their depression.
Some caregivers just see the fatigue, lack of sleep and/or feelings of helplessness as being a normal part of the job. That's not fair or good for the patient or the caregiver.
If the caregiver wears out or is unable to continue to give care and support to the patient, the patient will suffer. No one wants either the patient or caregiver to suffer.
It is very important for the caregiver to have some time off. They need to get some regular time to themselves. They need to consider doing regular exercise (even just taking walks by themselves or with others), get help to sleep properly, work on techniques to reduce their stress and at least some regular leisure activities.
Talking the situation over with others can be a help. The hard part is for the caregivers to realize they need time off on a regular basis.
Alternate caregivers or backup persons or organizations need to be identified, informed and used to give the regular caregiver a break. One respite care provider in Carson City is the RSVP program, (775) 687-4680.
Depression does not have to be permanent. The medicines available (by prescription from a doctor) have proven to be a big help to most folks.
If you know of caregiver that is at risk, urge them to take steps to get help.
Did you hear "why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?"
• John Bullis is a certified public accountant, personal financial specialist and certified senior advisor serving Carson City for 45 years. He is founder emeritus of Bullis and Company CPAs, LLC.