Recruiting, Selecting, and Retaining Direct Service Workers to Provide Self-Directed HCBS

Stress and Burnout Can Improve if DSW Isolation is Improved

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DSWs may experience burnout due to isolation. Helping DSWs build their community and networks can be helpful. They have other people who can relate to the work that they do. This is especially helpful when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. Sometimes it may be hard to find community for DSWs. Here are some places that DSWs may be able to develop community:

If you have multiple DSWs supporting you, you may be able to connect the DSWs and create time for them to spend together. This is helpful in multiple ways. DSWs can contact each other if they want to switch shifts or take time off, but they can also provide support for each other when they are stressed or feeling burned out.

Sometimes there are support groups in the area in which a DSW can participate. If a DSW expresses interest in a support group, try to give them time off to attend. You or the DSW may be able to find out about these support groups by searching online or talking to local faith communities or community centers.

Do you know anyone else who employs DSWs? Would they be okay connecting with each other? This may be an opportunity for DSWs to start their own support group if one does not exist.

There are online programs that help DSWs connect to each other and create community online. This is useful because the DSW can participate on their own time from the comfort of their own home. There may be other methods for DSWs to build community online, such as Facebook or Reddit forums, Quillo , or other websites.