WOMEN’S HEALTH

F

or 52 years, Sandye Mann has 
served as the main caregiver 
for her adult son, who has had 
developmental disabilities since birth. 
The Keego Harbor resident has learned 
numerous lessons about life, love and 
patience throughout her experience, but a 
few shine above the rest.
First, to find time every day to enjoy 
something that she loves doing. Even 
completing a short section of a word puz-
zle or taking a walk outside to get some 
fresh air can make a world of difference 
in what can often be a tough, emotional 

and isolating job.
“You have to learn to take tiny breaks 
during the day,” Mann, a client of Jewish 
Family Service, explains. In addition, she 
echoes the importance of never forget-
ting to make the person you’re caring for 
smile. “When was the last time you heard 
them laugh?” she asks.
It can be easy to forget the simple 
things in life when serving in the role as a 
caregiver, but keeping those moments big 
and small a priority can help caregivers 
not only effectively care for a loved one, 
but take care of their own physical, men-

tal and social health at the same time.

THE CAREGIVER ROLE
Mann is just one of thousands of women 
who find themselves in a caregiver role, 
sometimes intentionally, sometimes unin-
tentionally.
An estimated 66% of caregivers are 
female, a role that Emily Gordon, pro-
gram coordinator for the 
Family Caregiver Support 
program at JFS, says predom-
inately falls on wives, mothers 
and eldest daughters.
“When people think of a 
caregiver, their minds imme-
diately go to a paid caregiver,” 
Gordon says.
In reality, however, Gordon explains 

Women caregivers can take these steps 
to prioritize their health.

Combating 
Caregiver 
Burnout

Emily 
Gordon

44 | OCTOBER 12 • 2023 J
N

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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