I read a lot about caregiver burnout. There is not nearly as much written about
what happens to disabled people when problems arise with caregivers.
A caregiving job carries an incredible amount of power that
can be misused. I’ve learned over the
years to spot this quicker when it happens and to take immediate action. It’s not always necessary to fire someone. I believe in negotiation. There are always two sides of the street. On the other hand, if my physical well-being
is at risk, it is up to me to take action.
Here are some tips that I’ve learned that indicate a problem
that needs to be addressed if it’s happening in your caregiving situation:
-Caregivers who treat the job as a seasonal gig, like running a ride at a
carnival. It’s not a job people should
plan to keep for a couple of months until they figure out what’s going on in
their head.
-Caregivers who require an extraordinary amount of training - caregiving
is supposed to make our lives easier, not more difficult. If you find yourself sucked of energy after
they leave, it’s a red flag that there’s a problem
-Caregivers who refuse to take responsibility, even when the
job duties are clearly laid out in writing
-Caregivers who forget to do a lot of things, requiring an
unrealistic level of supervision and distracting you from the rest of your life
-Caregivers who constantly fail to show up on time as scheduled
-Caregivers who want to talk about the drama in their lives all the time, seeking attention from you in exchange for their help even though they're being paid
-Caregivers who ask you to assume their responsibilities - pay for their car repairs, etc. so they can do their job
When these things happen it can leave one feeling what I
call anti-caregiver burnout. I can tell
when I’m developing this because I find dealing with the caregiver is more work
and more aggravation than it’s worth.
Don’t get me wrong-there is no perfect
relationship. But if you find yourself
doing more than your caregiver, speak up.
Caregivers are not the only ones who can burnout.
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