Understanding Caregiver Burnout: Signs and Prevention
Caring for a loved one is not easy, and it may present new challenges every single day. Over time, it is not uncommon to experience caregiver burnout, also known as caregiver stress, which can take a significant toll on your physical and mental well-being. More than 60% of caregivers will experience burnout at some point, so know that you are not alone.
If you are experiencing caregiver burnout, both you and your loved one may be struggling, so it is important to recognize the signs and take appropriate steps to relieve your stress.
What are the signs of caregiver burnout?
When you care for someone else who is coping with a chronic health condition, disability, or cognitive impairment, you devote so much of your time and energy to ensuring their well-being.
You may be responsible for almost every aspect of their personal care, from dressing and housekeeping to medication management and transportation to medical appointments.
When you are devoting so much mental and physical energy to someone else’s needs, it is not uncommon to overlook your own. You may begin to feel exhausted, isolated, and stuck. Here’s a closer look at the signs of caregiver burnout that you might experience when caring for an elderly loved one:
Guilt – You may start to feel resentment towards the person you are caring for while also feeling guilty for tending to your own needs. It’s common to feel like you should not dedicate any time to yourself because that does not benefit the person you’re looking after.
However, if you are not tending to your own personal needs, you will not be able to thrive as a caregiver.
Anxiety - You may find yourself constantly worried about the person you’re caring for or worried that you will do something wrong while providing their care.
This anxiety can manifest with a wide range of symptoms, including emotional and physical exhaustion, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, and changes in your appetite.
Frustration – Dealing with aging and chronic health issues is difficult, and it may be hard for individuals to give up their sense of independence by accepting care from a loved one.
They may be resistant to care or fail to appreciate the effort you’re putting in, which can cause frustration and anger. You may have also fallen into a caregiver role without volunteering for it.
Loneliness and isolation – Because you may be so busy caring for a loved one, you might not be able to keep up with your own relationships and enjoy social time.
Caregiving can be incredibly isolating and lonely, but it is important to know that support is out there.
What causes caregiver burnout?
Caregiver burnout happens because caring for someone else can be so time-consuming that it takes over your life and makes you unable to truly care for yourself. The following factors can also contribute to your stress:
Blurred relationship roles – Caring for an elderly parent is a complete role reversal, and it may lead to role confusion that makes it hard to maintain your existing relationship while serving as a caregiver.
Additionally, you may have less time to spend with your spouse and your own children if you are always busy caring for an elderly relative.
Overload of responsibilities – Caregivers are responsible for so many aspects of another person’s life that it is easy to feel overloaded.
Loss of control – If you were suddenly thrust into the role of caregiver due to a health emergency or a rapid decline in a loved one’s health, you may feel like you’ve lost control over your life and are stuck in this new role.
How can you prevent and treat caregiver burnout?
Know that there are many resources available to help you cope with caregiver burnout. Here are some strategies and resources you can utilize to ease your stress:
Plan ahead with your elderly parents – Aging is inevitable, so it makes sense to be proactive and create a plan for your elderly parents involving your whole family so that caregiving roles are clearly outlined before they become necessary.
Consider hiring an in-home care professional – An in-home care professional can take some or all of the load off you by providing the care your loved one needs.
In-home care may range from a few visits per week with a minimum shift of three hours, or it may be full-time with daily visits.
Medicaid may allot weekly hours for free or low-cost in-home care, or you may opt for private pay services that can be adjusted to your family’s budget.
Explore respite care – In some cases, you may simply need a break from daily caregiving to ease your stress and invest in your own personal care.
Respite care can allow you to cover your loved one’s caregiving needs on a temporary basis so that you can go on vacation, take a break, or tend to your own medical care.
Enroll in a caregiver program – Removing the financial burden of caring for a loved one may help you reduce your stress as you continue your role as a primary caregiver for an elderly parent, spouse, or loved one.
With programs like Care Connect through New Outlook Home Care, you can continue to take care of your loved one while gaining financial compensation and caregiver support through a professional network of in-home care providers.
New Outlook Home Care is a trusted in-home care provider serving Medford and Redmond, OR.
We can help you create a care plan that works for your family, so you can break the cycle of caregiver burnout and ensure that your loved one is getting the dedicated care and attention they need to thrive.
Learn more about us by calling 541-500-7430 in Medford or 541-216-7963 in Redmond. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form on our website, and we will reach out to you soon.
