REACHING OUT TO CARERS
At NASAM we meet many family members who are fulltime caregivers
Some of them are aged and facing the challenges of ageing, yet they are having to go through this rigorous journey. The physical and emotional toll on most of them caring for their loved one is pretty obvious. Tell tale signs include exhaustion, irritability, sadness, anxiety and a look of hopelessness.
Where caregiving is a shared responsibility – children, siblings, other relatives or friends chipping in – the picture can be quite different. The carer appears rested, calmer, and is more at ease coping with day-to-day challenges.
We at NASAM understand how hard it is to be a carer and because we want to help those facing such difficulties, we have formed a Carers Support Group (CSG), made up of volunteers who are on call to help a fellow carer through challenging decisions or experiences, lend a hand with a task, or simply listen when in need to vent.
According to the Group, the longer someone provides care, be it to a spouse, parent, sibling or some other loved one, the more likely they are to experience fatigue and other negative effects.
“Carers can grow to become experts in putting together the best care for their loved ones while ignoring their own health or needs,” it said. “All caregivers must be aware of their limits and be open to asking for help. Don’t struggle silently. Remember whether you are young or old the journey is a difficult one.”
