When Caregivers Receive Care
Burnout is a silent epidemic in human services. Day after day, providers pour themselves into the lives of others—guiding, comforting, supporting—often at the expense of their own well-being. Stress, grief, and compassion fatigue build quietly until they can no longer be ignored.At Shared Wellness, we believe caregivers deserve care, too. Our new Wellness Center was created as a sanctuary—not only for the people we support, but also for the professionals who walk alongside them. Recently, the team at HAP (Health Assistance Program) stepped into that sanctuary for the first time. What unfolded was both lighthearted and profound—a reminder that healing often shows up in unexpected ways.
“Nothing Short of Bombdiggitty” That’s how Bob, HAP’s CEO and Clinical Director, described the experience. Playful, exuberant, and just a little irreverent, it was the kind of feedback that makes you smile because it’s so real. For two hours, HAP’s staff traded the pressures of case files and crisis calls for yoga mats, soft pillows, and the steady rhythm of sound bowls. Candlelight flickered, fresh juice was passed around, and a rare quiet settled in. For a team used to moving at full speed, it felt like stepping into another world.But beneath the laughter and slang was a deeper note of gratitude. Just four days after losing his mother at the age of 96, Bob reflected:“This experience helped me to feel grateful for all the love my mom provided me throughout my life.”It was a moment that captured what these spaces are really about: giving caregivers permission to pause, to grieve, to breathe.
The Joy and the Gravity Other reflections from HAP staff carried the same mix of lightness and depth:“Refreshing to breathe again—I loved the rainbow.”“A great experience of calm and no stress—I can’t wait to do it again.”“I felt grateful for the experience and for working at HAP.”“I now choose to take care of myself—let’s do this again!” Together, these voices painted a picture of what it means to hold joy and gravity at the same time—laughter alongside loss, lightness inside of responsibility.
Why It Matters?
Self-care in human services is often dismissed as indulgent, a luxury reserved for weekends or vacations. But for those on the frontlines, it’s a lifeline. Exhaustion doesn’t just wear down the body; it dulls compassion, creativity, and hope.The genius of a space like the Wellness Center is that it embraces both sides of the human experience. Yes, it can be “Bombdiggitty”—playful, rejuvenating, fun. But it can also hold the weight of grief, the practice of gratitude, and the spark of rediscovery. That balance is what makes it transformative.Looking AheadAs one staff member summed it up:“It was something everyone at HAP can benefit from.”We couldn’t agree more. At Shared Wellness, we’re grateful to walk alongside organizations that recognize caregivers are at their best when they, too, are cared for.
With our doors opening wider on Nov. 1st, we look forward to welcoming more caregiving teams into the same restorative experience. Because when caregivers receive care, the entire community benefits.
