How to Set Boundaries in Preventing Caregiver Burnout?

5 tips using the acronym SEt Boundaries in Prevent caregiver Burnout

S: Spread out the tasks that the caregiver do each day

3Ds

Delegate some to other family members

Do not do them all by yourself

Do not feel guilty that you have to delegate the tasks

E: Evaluate what the caregiver has done and see how he can do better, improve and upskills on not only the skills for caregiving but also the skills for self care for the caregiver

B: Balance caregiving with other responsibilities like setting aside 20 minutes of 'me time' (self care) like going for a walk on your own, playing an instrument, join caregiver support group with common interest groups.

P: Plan a care plan with other family members to engage the person living with moderate dementia meaningfully.

• Enjoy a hobby together with the person like planting chilli plants and blue pea flower plants.

• Get him/her involved in meal preparations.

The chicken was shredded by my mum. You may view the video on how she shredded the chicken at the instagram. Thriving_caregivers

• Have a routine where the person can engage in listening to music on his own while you enjoy your me time in another part of the house.

• Have someone in the family to watch that he is safe while you have your 'me' time.

This is a blue pea flower from my garden

This is a mask made by my mum with assistance by a volunteer at the Dementia Day Care centre.

B: Be aware that you cannot meet all the needs of the person living with dementia alone. You can be open for respite care that may help to reduce the burden and help you thrive in this caregiving process by taking care of yourself.

In this caregiving journey, I learnt to be kinder to myself and also to my mum, the person living with dementia. Though she may not be able to do the tasks as well as she had before, I learnt to accept that if she can still be able to be part of my meal preparations, assisting me by cutting vegetables and shredding the chicken. I should be grateful and I should encourage and affirm her more on what she can do.

I also need to be kinder to myself by setting boundaries so that I can continue to enjoy this journey with her and not burnout. I hope that you too will find this helpful and if you do have any tips to share or add, feel free to leave a comment on my blog.

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