Caretaker’s Community
Are you a caretaker? Did you know caretaker's burnout is real?
My name is Carole Leathem and I am a certified mental health coach, professional life coach and a spiritual formation coach. I'm also a speaker, award winning author, and most importantly a daughter of God. I became a caretaker for my husband eight years ago when he began to struggle with mental illness. My siblings and I became caretakers for our mom one year ago when she moved in assisted living.
The most important lessons I’ve learned as a caretaker:
We must take care of ourselves or we can't care for someone else. We need community to feel seen, encouraged, and most importantly realize we are not alone! Life as a caretaker can be hard. I have discovered four core values that we need to strengthen in our daily lives:
Spiritual: What is our foundation? Where does our strength come from? Where is God in this journey?
Mental: When my thoughts turn dark and I say to myself, I didn't sign up for this, its time for a mental adjustment.
Physical: Why is it important to rest, exercise, eat right, and take break when we are caretakers?
Emotional: How can we lean into the many different emotions we feel daily as a caretaker and not be overwhelmed? Can we find true joy in the midst of painful circumstances? YES!
For more information, or to sign up for the Caretaker’s Community, click the link below.
“I’m on a journey to find joy even when life gets messy. As a caretaker I must take care of myself before I can care for someone else.”
Carole Leathem
Did you know?
The average age of caretakers Is 49.2 years old?
More than 75% of all caretakers are women?
40% to 70% of family caretakers report symptoms of clinical depression.
23% of family caretakers report that caregiving has had a negative affect on their physical health?