We got a message from the agency that provides our in-home care today. They have revamped some of the materials provided in their Client Information Packet and wanted to share the updates. I found it interesting that 2 of the 11 pages were dedicated to my role in my husband’s life. They had included a Caregiver Burnout survey and a page with suggestions on how to deal with it.

The questions in their survey ask for simple True or False answers, not always easy to provide since my feelings are often based on the type of day my husband is having. They range from “I feel emotionally drained” to “I feel trapped and hopeless”. The following page gives pointers, nothing I haven’t seen before, including using relaxation techniques, exercising, making time for you and getting help. At least they do acknowledge that making time for me can be difficult, after all that’s why I contacted them in the first place.

There are many on-line options for evaluating where I am on the Caregiver Burnout continuum. I do like to take a look at them occasionally as a way to check in. My scores never get better, but taking time for reflection helps me appreciate the challenges I face as a Parkinson’s CarePartner and helps me prepare for decisions I may need to make along the way. I can’t be effective in self-care without first being realistic and self-aware about the impacts on my life. The surveys, no matter how generic, can help.

My favorite survey is the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview and can be downloaded here.