Caregiver Saturation Solutions

Caregiver saturation echoes Eleanor Roosevelt’s saying, ” I have had enough.” Caregivers rarely repeat this saying out loud. But,,,,we feel it. Furthermore…we live it. Caregiver saturation happens gradually. Over time. And…it takes time to apply caregiver saturation solutions.

As caregivers, we have absorbed and digested care for another. Coupled with our own life’s demands, we reach a point of excess. We have had a bellyful. NOW…what do we do with THAT ugly truth?

The first thing to remember is that saturation is soggy. Messy. Like …quicksand.

With this in mind, we begin to look for solid ground. For fear that we will sink further into the goo. While seeking higher ground, first …… recognize….

You are there– the saturation point

Recognize you are saturated. Despite your efforts, you feel slogged and bogged.

Think of a soggy sponge. Continued use makes the mess worse. To say nothing of expanding the goo. Similarly…you are gooey enough!

Do you need more evidence? http://caregiverslibrary.org provides a self assessment questionnaire that rates caregiver burnout. Take a look. Rate yourself. The highest score doesn’t win!

You are there. Saturated.

With this in mind, PAUSE. Caregivers can’t pull out of the quicksand goo in a panic.

Wring yourself out

Pause. Stop. You NEED to wring yourself out. As long as we stay soggy,we are ineffective. And not very happy!

Why the wring out?? Your caregiving journey is not over There is more road ahead. Not unlike a sponge, wringing ourself out restores use to a more usable state.

When do you wring out? Immediately- this minute. In fact, use the time you are reading this a pause moment. It is in these moments that we can widen our perspective. Nothing removes the rigors of caregiving, but pauses can create perspective.

Caregiver saturation solutions- how to suggestions

Whenever you are paused from caregiving: driving by yourself, having coffee with a friend, taking a shower, waiting in the grocery checkout, etc, acknowledge that you are NOT , at this moment, caregiving.

This IS a pause. Big whoop- not much of one…but still a pause.

NOW…..protect that pause! Instead of being impatient in the grocery line, USE that time. It might not be much, but it is YOUR time.

At the same time, anchor yourself to the moment. Here’s a helpful anchoring question: Where am I right now? Here is what this simple question does:

Puts and keeps you in your “now” moment”. This is YOUR space- no caregiving allowed!
Pushes the caregiving worry and stress aside. NO..it does NOT remove it, This just displaces it.
Reminds us that , no matter how stressful, there are pauses in caregiving demands.

AND…..once you acknowledge where you are ( or where you aren’t), reinforce the question with this statement: I am OK right now. AND….you are…..OK. Perhaps not super. Or duper. But OK.

Let’s rewind and replay

You are a caregiver. And you are saturated with and by the situation.
Pause. Stop. Slow down.
Acknowledge your pause moments. This is when and where you begin the process of wringing yourself out.
Protect the pause moment. Do NOT use you pause moments to do caregiving business- phone calls, list making and reading and worry.
Anchor yourself to the pause moment. With this question:

Where am I now?

6. Reinforce the question with this statement:

I am OK right now.

This is a baby step. Simple. And available.

This laughably easy technique is a a re-boot tool. It reminds us that even though we may be saturated we CAN make our pauses count. For us.

I have been saturated by caregiving many times. Sopping, Dripping .Messy and gooey.

BUT… at the present time, I manage, and even enjoy, my caregiving role. I know where my pauses are. And yes….I use this simple tool over and over.

Where am I right now? Here with you. I invite you to contact me . You do not have to travel the caregiver road alone.

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About the Author

Julie Green

- 35 Years as an Educator and Administrator of an Alternative High School and Juvenile Detention Center.
- 5 Years as Director of Education in a residential, therapeutic treatment center for young adults unable to function successfully in society.
- 14 Years (and current active involvement) as primary caregiver for my own parents .
- 9 Years as Facilitator for local retiement adjustment group
- Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.)
- Three Master's Degrees (M. Eds) in Learning Remediation, Vocational Education and Administration.
- Certified Family Transitions Coach (Certified Through Coach Training Alliance)
- Active member of International Coach Federation.
- Lifelong learner and practitioner of gracefully applying grit to life's challenging transitions.

Email: Julie@JulieGreen.org

Phone: 208-755-2824