Miss Olli's Diaries and Journals

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM CAREGIVER BURNOUT? Is your stomach tied in knots but you feel like your mind is unravelling? Is it difficult to see any hope through your tears of frustration, anxiety, worry, fear and sadness? Are your thoughts so scattered that you have lost clarity in your caregiving role? Are you so physically worn out that you struggle to accomplish your daily duties? Are you feeling so exhausted that you have no energy left for your own personal satisfaction? Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it is very likely that you are feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving role.   If you answered yes to several or all of these questions, you need to reach out for professional health advice, help and support. You are not alone in your feelings as they are a result of a condition that is very real and common for caregivers.   It is commonly known and accepted as Caregiver’s Burn

    I have created this blog to share with you the trials and tribulations of caring for my partner Coverley, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. My diary is my trusted and loyal companion.  A friend that is happy to listen for hours on end. My first diary was an inexpensive one that I got from the local dollar shop. It helped me to plan each day so as to survive the chaos and confusion that had invaded and engulfed our home.   It was the first thing I turned to when I got up each morning.   It was a reminder to me of the ever increasing visits to doctors, specialists, dentists and hearing check-ups.   Sneakily, more and more of the every day jobs were becoming mine so these were added in the diary too.   As dementia's grip tightened, reminders of social engagements and activities were almost non-existent in the diary.   Where did all the friends go?   When did they go?   I was beginning to feel resentful, so I began using my diary like a journal.   Writing in

SELF-CARE PRACTICES TO AVOID CAREGIVER'S BURNOUT “Mind. Body. Soul. These are the three things self-care is all about.” -  Kathy Sledge, American singer-songwriter (Sister Sledge) We live in a world where the demands on society have progressively increased.  People have busier schedules which often result in the needs of caregivers going unnoticed or unmet by the most well intentioned of us.  Community and government resources, as well as offers of help from family and friends, are limited so caregivers are still suffering from immense strain, duress and loneliness. Self-care for the caregiver is an essential practice and not just a theory or a ‘wellness phase’.  Caregiver’s burnout is a very real and serious condition which can lead to distractions, loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, high blood pressure and poor nutrition.  These ailments are very debilitating by and of themselves but they can also be precursors to accidents, stroke, heart attack, cancer and death. To unde