Running on Fumes: When Caregiving Becomes Too Much—and What to Do About It”

Are you overwhelmed?

As a caregiver, I get it. Me too.

There are days when I’m running on fumes—balancing a full-time business, raising my children, helping with my grandson, checking on my mother, and carrying the responsibility of caring for my brother, who has long-term medical needs. It's more than a full plate—it’s a full life. And while love is the root of what I do, love alone doesn’t refill the tank when you’re running on empty.

I used to feel guilty for even admitting I was tired. For a while, I thought saying "I’m not okay" meant I wasn’t strong enough. But the truth is, caregiving—especially for multiple generations—is sacred, consuming, and at times, depleting. And we need to talk about that.

There came a moment when I had to ask myself the hard question: What will happen to my loved one if something happens to me? That’s when I realized that preparing for the future wasn’t giving up—it was giving my loved one the gift of stability, even if I couldn’t always be the one providing it.

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💡 Here’s What Helped Me—and What Might Help You:

1. Prayer First, Always

Before I did anything, I prayed. For clarity. For peace. For release from guilt. That spiritual grounding gave me the courage to move forward.

2. Let Go of the Guilt

You’re not failing them by seeking help. You’re honoring them—and yourself—by ensuring there’s a sustainable plan in place. Guilt clouds your judgment and keeps you in cycles that aren't healthy.

3. Explore Housing and Care Options

If your loved one needs ongoing care:

Look into supported housing, group homes, or medical day programs.

Check with your local Area Agency on Aging or Disability Services Office.

Consider homecare agencies that provide intermittent care under your supervision.

Research Medicaid waiver programs for respite services and long-term placement.

4. Start Legal and Financial Planning

A care plan isn't just emotional—it's also logistical.

Create or review your loved one's power of attorney, healthcare directive, and benefits eligibility.

Talk to an elder law or disability rights attorney.

Set up a circle of care—people who can step in when you need rest.

5. Reach Out to Others

You’re not alone. Whether it’s a support group, a pastor, or just a friend who “gets it,” talking through your burden can lift some of its weight. There is healing in being heard.

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🗓️ Join Us: Back-to-School Wellness Event – August 30th

Want more support, practical resources, and free wellness tips? Join us at our Back-to-School Wellness Event on Friday, August 30th, hosted by Goodwill Housing Strategies.

🎒 Free school supplies

💪 Health & wellness screenings

🧘‍♀️ Stress relief tools for caregivers

🤝 Community resources & vendor connections

📍 Location: Carroll County, MD

🔗 Sign Up: Register at gwhstrategies.org/wellness-fair

Come fill your cup—because you deserve care too.

Diabetes : Pills may not be enough

As a Registered Nurse, I get asked for advice daily—especially from clients managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Just recently, a client called me in a panic. His blood sugar was in the 200s, and he was convinced his medication was to blame.

But when I asked what he’d eaten that day, his answers were vague. Fast food came up. No vegetables. No real nutrients. He didn’t want to talk about food—just pills.

Here’s the truth: food is medicine.

Your medication works with your body, not against it. When you consistently eat poorly, even the best prescription can only do so much.

As we spoke more, he mentioned chills and foul-smelling stool—signs of a possible bowel infection. Diabetics are more prone to infections, especially with poor diet and high blood sugar. I urged him to call his doctor, and thankfully, he did.

Https://gwhstrategies.org/wellness-fair

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The Takeaway:

Food matters. What you eat directly affects your blood sugar and your body’s ability to fight infection.

Be honest. With your doctor, with yourself. Hiding symptoms only delays help.

Ask the right people. Nurses, doctors, dietitians—we’re here to guide you. Google and guesswork won’t cut it.

Act early. Don’t ignore warning signs or rely on meds alone.

If you have diabetes, remember: pills help, but your plate is just as powerful.

Learn more about how we help health and wellness in the community. 

https://gwhstrategies.org/wellness-fair?

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