Caregiver Self-Care and Support

 I used to tell my mom that she should have had ten kids.  She was so maternal and she absolutely lived to take care of others.  I did not inherit this gene.  And now that I'm Leanne's caretaker, I realize that God knew what He was doing when He gave Leanne to my mom: she's the equivalent of ten kids!  Ha!  I'm teasing...a little.  But in all honesty, Leanne's presence in our home has opened my eyes to a whole new perspective: Caregiver.  

The caregiver role can manifest from many different scenarios: parenthood, caring for an aging/elderly parent, caring for a sick spouse, and on an on...For me, personally, the distinction came when Leanne moved in.  It changed everything.  My children were already established in a routine.  Our family of five was a well-oiled machine.  Enter Leanne: it was a crash course in legal guardianship, Medicaid waivers (and wait lists), healthcare specialties (PCP, Urologist, Psychologist, Audiologist, ENT, GI, etc.), employment opportunities, volunteer opportunities, day programs, fitness programs, socialization opportunities, transportation, scheduling...

In a way, it was a welcome distraction from my shock and grief over my mom's illness and passing.  I did not have time to wallow; I had so much to figure out.  Add a couple of health scares and a global pandemic, and I quickly familiarized myself with the notion of "caregiver fatigue." 

Recently, the National Down Syndrome Society approached me and asked me to do an Instagram Takeover in honor of National Family Caregiver Month.  This organization, who does so much for the Down syndrome community, wanted to put a spotlight on caregivers.  We were honored to be a part of it.  That process was the catalyst to thinking about my caregiving journey.  Beyond that, the feedback we received from other caregivers inspired this blog post.

Confession time: It took me two years after my mom's death and Leanne joining our household to recognize that I was not navigating my caregiver role properly and to make the necessary changes to proceed in a healthier way.  It was so much easier to focus on taking care of others - particularly Leanne.  This gives way to burn out.  And when the caregiver is depleted, everyone who depends on that caregiver suffers.  Here are some things that I found beneficial in helping me fortify myself, so I could offer better care to others: 

1.  Diet and Exercise - I became consumed with helping ensure Leanne had nutritious food per Dr. Brian Skotko's recommendations, as well as access to fun fitness opportunities at a special needs gym. When Leanne had her choking incident and several procedures to expand her esophagus, I took her to feeding therapy and pureed everything that I set in front of her.  All the while, I wasn't the least bit concerned with my diet or fitness routine.  Shame on me.  When I decided that changes had to be made, I truly reaped the benefits of weight loss and feeling better by simply consuming more lean proteins and vegetables and watching my carb consumption.  I spent time grocery shopping and meal prepping food for MYSELF.  That didn't take away from the meals I planned for the family - it just factored myself and my well being into the process.  

2. Alcohol/Drugs - Another big component of my lifestyle overhaul involved giving up alcohol.  What started as a health/weight loss effort, turned into a larger conviction once I started researching alcohol's effect on the human body.  I used to truly believe that Type A, neurotic perfectionists like myself  genuinely benefitted from the relaxation effects of alcohol.  What I learned is that alcohol was actually increasing my anxiety and sleep disturbances.  I haven't had a drink in more than a year, and at this juncture in my life, abstaining is the best decision for me.  If you're curious to read more, I highly recommend the book "Alcohol Explained" by William Porter.  And if you're more of a podcast/YouTube person, check out Annie Grace.  And while I would welcome anyone to look into the benefits of reducing alcohol intake, I would also encourage people who are under great stress to discuss phamaceutical interventions with their physician.  In much the same way a diabetic requires insulin to manage blood sugar, our psychological health can benefit greatly from the right prescription drug; even if it's just to help us make it through a temporary period of emotional duress.  

3.  Outdoor time - I read books on this, too, but I'll spare you the boring details.  For me, I think that being in my house is a constant reminder of the chores I have to do: laundry, cleaning, sorting through the mail, tending to the plants, organizing closets...the list never ends.  When I'm in my car (which is much of my day), I'm reminded of the jam packed schedule and time constrains resulting from transporting four people to appointments and activities.  But when I'm outdoors, be it on a walk, gardening, or even taking my kids to the pool, my brain can truly be free of the chorus of responsibilities and truly just enjoy relaxing in nature.

4.  Hobbies - I laugh as I type that word, because busy moms don't have time for hobbies!  And yet, our mental health can benefit so much from unplugging with something that has nothing to do with providing care.  I discovered handlettering last winter and it became a compulsion for me.  I would use my kids' Crayola watercolor paints to make abstract designs on paper, and then I would handletter inspirational quotes on my paintings after my kids were in bed.  I am not an artist and the vast majority of my projects were ugly disasters.  But that's not the point; it was a therapeutic process for me.  Likewise, I used to think that time spent reading was wasted unless I was reading nonfiction and learning something new in the process.  However, over the summer, I took my kids to the library a lot.  And I would pick up one or two silly fiction books to read on our pool days.  Talk about a fun, mindless escape.  It greatly helped me relax.  

5.  Time out - it's not just for kids.  When I feel myself starting to get overwhelmed and irritable, I will withdraw to my bedroom, shut the door, and enjoy a "time out."  Guess what - none of my kids have ever suffered injury during one of my time outs.  My house has never burned down during a time out.  The world functions just fine without me for a few minutes. 

 

Likewise, sometimes it can be overwhelming having five people talking over one another, demanding my attention all day.  I am an extrovert but even I crave solitude.  I have found it beneficial to wake up before the rest of my family so I can enjoy my coffee in peace and brace myself for the day ahead.  I don't set an alarm; my body naturally rises early.  And I truly enjoy that time of day when my house is perfectly silent.

6.  Seek Out Sources of Inspiration and Faith - My mom's illness and death were awful.  She needed me and my kids needed me and my sister needed me - I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions and no matter who I chose to tend to, it resulted in guilt because I was neglecting someone else. The stress was so great that I wanted to crumble, but I couldn't.  By listening to psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson's lectures on YouTube, I learned that voluntarily assuming a challenge resulted in a more positive emotional state than the defensive posturing system associated from fearfully bracing for catastrophe.  I derievd a lot of pride from the fact that I survived that period in my life.  It was awful, but I did it, and I'm stronger for having done it.

Since my mom's passing, I have found that turning to faith can offer strength, comfort, and enlightenment.  I'm fortunate to have many tremendous faith role models, and I find that the more time I spend within my religious community, the more I receive comfort in God's message.  At a recent faith formation gathering, another parishoner shared a story about how he lost his mother at a very young age.  In listening to him tell his story, I felt a whole new level of healing in my grief journey.  This year, I'd like to grow in faith even more.

7.  Help Someone Else - This may sound counterintuitive that you need to seek out someone else to help when you're already drained from caregiving, but hear me out...Sometimes emotionally extracting myself from my own situation and investing in acts of service towards others really reframes my mindset.  In the Prayer of St. Francis, it says "For it is in giving that we receive."  And sometimes that intrinsic boost that comes from acting in service to another person is just the tonic required to transition from feeling depleted to feeling fulfilled.  

8.  Ask for help - This particular point generated so much feedback from caregivers on Instagram.  My experience has been that when things become overwhelming, I know I need to move heaven and earth to build a support system.  We have never lived in the same state as our family, and therefore Travis and I have always had to find outside care providers.  During the pandemic, Leanne's activities were obliterated and she was stuck at home day in and day out.  Her mental health decline became very apparent.  She was withdrawn, agitated, and lost.  We tried virtual talk therapy and Leanne's communication challenges made it ineffective.  My breaking point came over the summer when Travis was out of town (when one element is out of place, Leanne usually struggles) and her negative attention-seeking behaviors were keeping everyone awake at night and had me really questioning how much more I could take.  I ended up going on NextDoor, care.com and even contacting the church to try and find someone who could help.  Leanne needed to get out of the house.  She needed activities and attention beyond what I could provide.  My kids needed a mother who wasn't sleep deprived and short fused.  And I needed a break, too.  

It took awhile, and it cost some money, but we finally found a care provider who could take Leanne out of the house for 18 hours a week and transport her to community engagements including Special Olympics, fitness, volunteering, and other recreational activities.  This has made an enormous difference for Leanne and for myself.  

Many parents are hesitant to trust anyone else to provide care for their children, and I understand that.  However, as the dependent individual reaches adulthood, we have to learn to let go.  Leanne is in the community for work and I cannot supervise her there.  She relies on special needs transportation services and I cannot supervise her there.  If she attended a day program, I would not be able to hire and supervise every staff member.  And if she lived in a group home - forget it!  I have found that it is worth the time and effort to search for the right care provider, and to train that person, for the peace of mind that comes from having a break from the 24/7 demands of care.  Furthermore, your loved one's life may be greatly enhanced by forming a  relationship with someone other than yourself.  

If you have a friend or family member who is a caregiver, please volunteer - insist - on picking up (or staying with) the individual who needs care so the caregiver can have a break.  Some individuals thrive on consistency so maybe you could commit to a regular weekend schedule - a 2 hour outing every Sunday.  I assure you that this is one of the most beneficial things you can do to show your support to a caregiver. 

9.  Build a Tribe - There is an immense relief in venting to someone who "gets it."  In recent years, I watched a relative become a caretaker to his wife when she was diagnosed with dementia.  He found an Alzheimer's Support Group and he attended the meetings faithfully.  Now that she's gone, he attends a grief support group.  Likewise, I have made numerous friends who have children and siblings with Down syndrome.  Some of my closest "Ds Community Friends" have been found thanks to social media.  It's remarkable how many commonalities unite us, even though we're all over the globe.  There's something reassuring in being able to exchange stories and ideas with people who can relate.  

10.  Humor - Anyone who has followed our journey for awhile is aware that my number one coping mechanism is humor.  God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the sense of humor to laugh at this nuthouse I live in.  My mom used to call me frequently with funny Leanne stories.  Now, I document the #LeanneHollywood stories on Instagram.  If nothing else, we have an endless supply of inside jokes beccause there's always something to giggle about around here.