Would you like to be the featured caregiver in an upcoming issue of Voice of the Caregiver?Please send us your photo. Ideas for the photo include you with your loved one, with your check, or spending your rebate money. Also, please supply the following:

The Caregivers Marketplace has joined one of the largest social media sites, Facebook. If you have a Facebook account, you can now become a fan of Caregivers Marketplace.

Just do a quick Facebook search for our name and click on “Become a Fan.” Our fans will be among the first to know when new brands or products join the program.

Don’t forget, word of mouth helps our program grow. As we grow, more brands join our family of rebate-eligible products.

So, when you become our fan, let your Facebook friends know about the cash back you’ve received on your favorite brands with Caregivers Marketplace.

Shop smart. Did you know that you don’t have to pay full price to qualify for cash back from Caregivers Marketplace?

Some savvy shoppers clip coupons and watch for store sales before buying eligible products. Cash back from Caregivers Marketplace works regardless of the original price.

So, whether you paid $6.39 for an item or $4.99 because the store had a sale, you will still get money back from Caregivers Marketplace.

Now that’s smart shopping!

Have you ever experienced "caregiver burnout?" Burnout is more than being tired after a long day with your loved one. When you are under financial, physical and emotional stress for long periods of time and haven't dealt with it, burnout can creep in to change your overall mood from upbeat to sad or angry.

Caregiver burnout is completely natural and not something you have to feel bad about. You can recognize burnout in yourself if you find you’re withdrawing from family and friends, losing interest in your hobbies, feeling hopeless, becoming ill frequently, experiencing sudden changes in weight, having difficulty sleeping, feeling negative about the person you care for, or being irritable and exhausted most of the time.

All of these symptoms are telling you it is time to slow down, collect your thoughts and take care of yourself. You can ask a friend, neighbor or family member to watch your loved one while you regroup and focus on your needs.

Tips for Dealing With Caregiver Burnout
Find someone to talk to. Keeping your feelings bottled up does more harm than good. You may want to consider talking to a counselor or joining a support group.

Be realistic about your situation. As much as you would like to fix your loved one's affliction, it is beyond your control. As a caregiver, your job is to make your loved one more comfortable. You can only do this when you also feel comfortable.

Take care of yourself. Spend some time on things you enjoy, such as listening to music or going for a walk. Also, make sure you are eating right, exercising and getting the sleep you need.

Attention moms and dads: Do you think of yourself as family caregivers? When the term is used, many people think of someone caring for a sick or disabled loved one. While these certainly describe the situations of many family caregivers, there are plently of other people that fall into the catergory, including you!

You’re a part of what is known as the “sandwich generation.” The term describes those who are sandwiched between the dual responsibilities of providing care for their own children and for their aging parents.

Your parents may not be sick or disabled, but you still provide care when you help them grocery shop, prepare their food or manage their medication. Combined with providing care for your young children, being a family caregiver in the sandwich generation can be quite stressful, especially financially.