36

While caring for your loved one can bring a variety of benefits, it can also require significant energy and dedication, as well as the sacrifice of personal time and resources. Caregivers who are unprepared to meet these increased physical and emotional demands often experience “caregiver burnout,” also known as “caregiver stress.”

Symptoms of Caregiver burnout include:

  • Lack of energy
  • Overwhelming fatigue
  • Sleep problems (too much or too little)
  • Changes in eating habits; weight loss or gain
  • A feeling of hopelessness
  • Withdrawing from, or losing interest in, activities you once enjoyed
  • Neglecting your own physical and emotional needs
  • Feeling like caregiving is controlling your life
  • Becoming unusually impatient, irritable or argumentative with the person you’re caring for and/or with others
  • Anxiety about the future
  • Depression or mood swings
  • Difficulty coping with everyday things
  • Headaches, stomachaches, and other physical problems
  • Lowered resistance to illness

How can I prevent caregiver burnout?

Here are some steps you can take to help prevent caregiver burnout:

  • Find someone you trust — such as a friend, co-worker, or neighbor — to talk to about your feelings and frustrations.
  • Set realistic goals, accept that you may need help with caregiving, and turn to others for help with some tasks. Local organizations or places or worship may provide support groups (either in person or online) for caregivers or family members of those suffering from diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer’s. These organizations may also provide respite care to allow the caregiver to have time away from the patient.
  • Take advantage of respite care services. Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers. This can range from a few hours of in-home care to a short stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
  • Be realistic about your loved one’s disease, especially if it is a progressive disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Acknowledge that there may come a time when the patient requires nursing services or assisted living outside the family home.
  • Don’t forget about yourself because you’re too busy caring for someone else. Set aside time for yourself, even if it’s just an hour or two. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It is an absolute necessity for caregivers.
  • Talk to a professional. Most therapists, social workers, and clergy members are trained to counsel individuals dealing with a wide range of physical and emotional issues.
  • Know your limits and be honest with yourself about your personal situation. Recognize and accept your potential for caregiver burnout.
  • Educate yourself. The more you know about the illness, the more effective you will be in caring for the person with the illness.
  • Develop new tools for coping. Remember to lighten up and accentuate the positive. Use humor to help deal with everyday stresses.
  • Stay healthy by eating right and getting plenty of exercise and sleep.
  • Accept your feelings. Having negative feelings — such as frustration or anger — about your responsibilities or the person for whom you are caring is normal. It does not mean you are a bad person or a bad caregiver.
  • Join a caregiver support group. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others in the same situation can help you manage stress, locate helpful resources, and reduce feelings of frustration and isolation.

 

36 thoughts on “What Is Caregiver Burnout, Symptoms and Prevention”

  1. Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and include almost all vital infos.
    I’d like to look more posts like this .

  2. May I simply just say what a relief to uncover someone that
    actually knows what they are discussing on the web.

    You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
    More people ought to look at this and understand this side of your story.
    It’s surprising you aren’t more popular since you most certainly have the gift.

  3. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish
    be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further
    formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside
    case you shield this hike.

  4. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for
    me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Excellent work!

  5. Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you ever been running a blog
    for? you made blogging look easy. The total glance of your web site is magnificent, as neatly as the
    content!

  6. Hi there! This post could not be written much better!
    Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He always kept talking about this. I am going to send this information to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and
    actual effort to create a great article… but what can I
    say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  8. Hi! I know this is somewhat off-topic but I had to ask.
    Does running a well-established blog such as
    yours take a large amount of work? I’m brand new to blogging however
    I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a
    blog so I can easily share my experience and views online.
    Please let me know if you have any recommendations or tips for new
    aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  9. Greetings! I’ve been following your website for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx!
    Just wanted to say keep up the good work!

  10. I have read several good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting.

    I surprise how a lot effort you set to make the sort of wonderful informative site.

  11. Every weekend I used to pay a quick visit to this website,
    for the reason that I wish for enjoyment, since this site contains
    genuinely nice funny information too.

  12. Magnificent site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to some friends And certainly,
    thank you for your effort!

  13. I feel that is among the so much important information for me.
    And I am glad reading your article. However want to observation on few basic issues, The
    site style is ideal, the articles is in point of fact
    excellent: D. Just right task, cheers

  14. Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly
    this weblog and I am impressed! Very useful info particularly the last phase
    🙂 I handle such information a lot. I used to be
    looking for this particular information for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.

  15. Your style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from.
    Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this page.

  16. I like the helpful inf᧐rmation you providе inn
    your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here
    frequently. I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty
    of new stuff right here! Ꮐood luck fօr tһe next!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *