Watch Carol’s testimonial: 

SYNERGY HomeCare understands that every person and every family is unique, and no two people recover exactly the same from a stroke. With that in mind, SYNERGY HomeCare’s Stroke Recovery Care program is based on a fully customized person-centered approach that offers assistance with everything from personal care to transportation. 

For more information on how you can utilize SYNERGY HomeCare’s Stroke Recovery Care services, please visit SYNERGY HomeCare of Leesburg, or call 703-665-3990, where Maisie can point you in the right direction. 

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703-936-2240

The post In-Home Stroke Recovery Support | Carol’s Story with SYNERGY  appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Leesburg.

Relief for family caregivers hit with compassion fatigue during the pandemic

Family caregivers have been struggling with caregiver burnout for longer than most can remember. “Compassion fatigue” was penned decades ago to describe the physiological effects experienced by professional caregivers. Today, the term has resurfaced in the health care field as the buzzword to describe the toll it has taken on caregivers as they battle the ups and downs of COVID-19.

Compassion fatigue is often referred to as caregiver burnout, but the conditions are not the same. Compassion fatigue is more treatable than burnout, but it can be less predictable. While compassion fatigue may come on suddenly or without much warning, caregiver burnout typically develops over time.

Some describe compassion fatigue as empathy fatigue, a biological and physiological response where you are so exhausted—physically, emotionally, psychologically—that it becomes difficult to care or feel for others. You feel “done.”

And the fatigue doesn’t stop when you’ve finished caregiving for the day. You plop on the couch, turn on the TV, and there it is—news of the pandemic crisis on every station. It’s in the headlines; it’s on the radio. It feels like there’s no escaping it.

“If you’re one of the thousands of family caregivers who are homeschooling your kids, working remotely, and caring for an aging parent in your home, you’re at risk for compassion fatigue. You may not wear a cape every day, but you are performing a feat that most people can’t do. Even superheroes need a break once in a while.”

How can you prevent compassion fatigue?
We must remember that caregiving during COVID-19 is a marathon, not a sprint. Pacing ourselves and using self-care tools are the best ways to care for ourselves as we weather the pandemic. If we don’t take care of ourselves when we need it, how can we care for others when they need it?

Check-in with yourself: What do you need right now?
The key is to check in with yourself often (yes, talk to yourself!), and be honest. Don’t “should” yourself. By removing the thoughts of what you “should,” do or “should” feel, you open yourself up to flexibility that can provide some relief. When checking in with yourself, ask, “What do I need right now? What can I give myself? How am I feeling? What’s bothering me? What can I do about it?”

Sometimes your “giving reserve” may be short on funds, and you need to dial back on how much you give to others. When asking yourself these questions, respond to yourself as though you are caring for another person. Listen to your answers. Try not to put so many “shoulds” on your plate that it stresses you out even more. It’s okay to lighten your plate. It’s all about balance and getting yourself to a place where you feel good about taking time for yourself.

Recognize the warning signs
It’s also important to recognize the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue:

• Insomnia
• Less interest in caregiving duties
• Feeling more stress
• Being traumatized by caregiving activities and functions
• Irritability
• Substance use/abuse
• Blaming others for your suffering
• Isolating yourself
• Loss of pleasure in life
• Difficulty concentrating
• Physical and mental fatigue
• Bottling up your emotions
• Feelings of hopelessness or powerlessness
• Frequent complaining
• Overeating
• Poor self-care
• Denial
• Anger
• Resentment toward the person you’re caring for

While these symptoms sound scary, they’re actually helpful as they are telling you that your “giving reserves are low,” and sending a warning that it’s time to rebalance your life.

Respite care for family caregivers
While caring for your aging parent has been said to be a labor of love, it’s still a weight on you. As you spend more and more of your time caring for your aging parent, you may find yourself giving up favorite hobbies and vacations, saying no to friends, feeling distracted at work, and getting more stressed with your spouse and children. Over time, juggling caregiving with work, raising children, and managing a household increases your risk for depression, chronic illness, and a decline in your overall quality of life. And the stress of caring for a loved one while managing your family and household can lead to significant health issues, both physically and mentally. Add COVID-19 to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

You may not get enough sleep, eat poorly, skip regular exercise, keep going even when you’re not feeling well, or even postpone your medical appointments. If you’re a caregiver who neglects your health, you’re more likely to suffer from a chronic condition such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure and obesity. Caregiving can also take a toll on your mental health, with an estimated 46 percent to 59 percent of caregivers suffering from clinical depression.

Ask yourself
It’s time to pause and ask yourself: “What good will I be to the person I care for if I get sick?” As a caregiver, you must take good care of yourself—even while you are taking care of your aging loved one.

You deserve it
It is possible to take some much-needed time for yourself while meeting the needs of your senior parent through SYNERGY HomeCare’s respite care services.

What if you had one day each week all to yourself? How about two days? Imagine all the errands, activities, and appointments you’ve put on the back burner while caring for your aging loved one, and with COVID-19, maybe your children, too. That’s a lot of pressure, the kind that often leads to caregiver burnout or compassion fatigue.

As mentioned above, taking care of yourself is critical as the family caregiver. It’s okay to give yourself a break. You deserve it.

You can have a professional caregiver provide respite care for you one or two days a week so that you can keep your “giving reserve” full. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are trained in CDC-recommended COVID-19 safety protocols as well as dealing with every type of care scenario imaginable. It’s a peace of mind like you’ve never before experienced.

Compassion fatigue does not have to bring down the house. It’s not a disease; it’s a collection of symptoms that are manageable if you take action.

The post Relief for family caregivers hit with compassion fatigue during the pandemic appeared first on SYNERGY HomeCare of Leesburg.

Live your best life with in-home support

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one-third of all seniors live by themselves. That means that one-third of our senior population is attempting to take care of themselves while suffering from age-related challenges, medical problems, and, in some cases, mental health problems. Many cannot drive to get where they need to go and even struggle with managing their finances and medication.

Though it can be tough to come to terms with asking for and receiving extra support, your quality of life is worth it!  You deserve a happy, fulfilling life at all stages.

In-home care services are designed to fit your personal needs. Unlike long-term facilities, in-home support allows you to maintain your own schedule, prepare your own meals, stay in your neighborhood, and continue hobbies around your home like taking care of your garden.

In-Home Care and Maintaining Your Independence
Support services like in-home care can provide valuable services that won’t take away your independence and aid in your ability to care for yourself from the comfort of your own home. Can you imagine walking into a long-term care facility right now with the fear of contracting COVID-19? Some seniors are taking that step when safer, alternative options are available.

Unique, Customized Help While You Continue to Live Your Best Life
In-home care services are designed to fit your personal needs. Unlike long-term facilities, in-home support allows you to maintain your own schedule, prepare your own meals, stay in your neighborhood, and continue hobbies around your home like taking care of your garden. With extra assistance running errands, preparing meals, and even some light housekeeping, you can maintain social distancing and avoid risks inside your home.

When people think about senior support services, they often picture family members of an older person getting together to plan how to take care of their loved ones best. But this isn’t ALWAYS how seniors find support. Many seniors are perfectly happy taking control of their lives and finding support services that are right for them.

What Type of Help is Available Through In-Home Care?
Almost anything! In-home support services are unique and personalized to ensure that you are getting the best support for your needs. Whether you feel too isolated and need companionship around the house and maybe some light housekeeping, or you require more constant support due to debilitating medical issues or disabilities, in-home care can accommodate your needs. Services can include:

• Running errands, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions
• Meal planning and preparing
• Medication management
• Transportation
• Personal assistance (for morning/bedtime routines, bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene care.
• Light housekeeping
• Companionship for social activities, exercise, and friendly conversation
• Live-in care and 24-hour assistance

You can take control of your life and reach out for support designed to help you live your best life. Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Put life back into your years. Reduce stress. Have a friendly conversation. Rely on professional in-home support to help you manage your days with ease and spend more time looking forward than worrying about the other things that add stress and anxiety to your life.  Your life is worth it.

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