BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – The Raleigh County Commission on Aging and Hospice of Southern West Virginia got together for their 13th annual Compassionate Caregiver Conference.
They addressed the stress and fatigue that comes with caring for others: from aging parents to veterans to those with substance use disorder.
“I was so happy this year to have Gwen Alexander from FMRS (attend). She did a talk about compassion fatigue in the care of addicts,” said Social Worker Kim Ratliff. “And we both know in Southern West Virginia, that is something that’s touched everyone’s lives.”
The influence of spirituality on caregiver burden can affect quality of life. Almost 20 percent of the American population are family caregivers.
“That’s a big number. And caregiving comes with a lot of challenges: physical challenges, financial challenges, spiritual challenges, and emotional challenges,” WVU School of Nursing Clinical Assistant Professor Stephanie Young said. “So it is in our best interest as a society to help folks care for their loved ones.”
In many professions: whether nurse, law enforcement or a social worker, you see a lot of the same people come through your door.
“That can be a little tiresome, a little draining,” said Ratliff. “So she is giving everyone here tips on how to take care of themselves, how to deal with those stressful situations in your personal and professional life.”
If we can find low-cost easy ways to promote quality of life in caregivers it is beneficial to us, to them and society as a whole.
“We use spirituality to make meaning in our lives,” Young said. “Small things: listening to music, participating in art, praying, meditating, all ways that can help reduce caregiver burden. I think those who work with caregivers could be aware and promote spirituality in the folks they’re helping.”
