When Caring Hurts: Preventing Caregiver Burnout
You are dependable and loyal. You take family seriously and honor those around you who are unable to care for themselves. So, you have found yourself in the position of caring for an elderly parent grandparent or chronically ill or disabled loved one who requires constant care. Sometimes it feels like it is just too much for one person to bear. You may feel that no one else is there to carry the burden but you. However, not reaching out for help can lead to harmful results.Ā
The Numbers Donāt LieĀ
The United States is home to overĀ 44 million unpaid caregivers.Ā The numbers will continue to grow as theĀ population of baby boomers continues to age. The prevalenceĀ ofĀ spectrumĀ disorders,Ā like autism,Ā has increased in AmericaĀ by 30 percent inĀ recentĀ years. ManyĀ disordersĀ canĀ limitĀ the abilityĀ of peopleĀ to function independently.Ā These situationsĀ mayĀ createĀ a need for family members to step up when care facilities seem like an unwanted orĀ unfeasible option.Ā But whatĀ effectĀ does the caregiving lifestyle have onĀ the caregiver?Ā
Signs of TroubleĀ
Fatigue and sleep deprivationĀ when caring for a loved one are common.Ā FatigueĀ can make a caregiver more vulnerable to physical,Ā emotional or mentalĀ illnesses themselves.Ā This can be due to a combination of physical obligations of providing care around the clock to the worry and stress that can accompany the responsibility of maintaining someone elseās welfare. Oftentimes, caregivers are not only responsible for the elderly parent or disabled family relative. They are parents, husbands and wives as well, further adding to their load.Ā Ā
You may notice that you,Ā or the caregiver in your life,Ā has become increasingly irritable, anxious or angry lately.Ā A prolonged state of fatigue and stress putsĀ caregiversĀ atĀ riskĀ for diabetes, addictions, increased sensitivity to pain and infections.Ā If you see signs of depression,Ā such as feelings of hopelessness or helplessness, loss of interest in other activities, social withdrawal,Ā find help.Ā That is a clear sign that it is time for intervention.Ā Ā
In difficult circumstances, some caretakers mayĀ appearĀ disoriented, erratic and/or highly emotional. Let extreme changes in mood, behaviors or routine be a signal to you that something is wrong.Ā
Caring for the CaregiverĀ
If any of this sounds familiar,Ā please take the necessary steps. As a caregiver, know that reaching out for help and taking care of yourself are just as important to your role as a caregiver as the caregiving itself. If you know someone who is responsible for a loved oneās wellbeing and is exhibiting signs of burnout,Ā lend a helping hand. Here are someĀ stepsĀ that you canĀ take:Ā
- Self-assess. Take a moment to do personal inventory. If your energy levels have been low and your patience thin, admit it to yourself. That is the only way to begin the process of improving your situation.Ā
- Take a break.Ā If you do not have to, donāt go it alone.Ā Ask friends or family membersĀ to stay over a couple nights a week so that you can get a full nightās rest.Ā See if they can watch your loved for a couple of hoursĀ during the dayĀ while you take some personal time.Ā If there is no one available, take advantage of some of the caregiver resources (foundĀ below)Ā thatĀ can assist you.Ā
- Be mindful.Ā Include a mindfulness, mediation or prayer practice in your day. This serves to increase your self-awareness and promotes relaxation while you are awake. Fifteen minutes can make a world of difference.Ā
- Find support.Ā As a caregiver, you might be too busy to know that there is help available to you, even if you feel like you are all alone. Please check out the following resources:Ā Ā
- AARP CareConnection
- National Alliance for Caregiving
Want to see if you or someone you love is battling caregiver burnout, take this short quiz:Ā
https://www.caring.com/articles/caregiver-burnout-quizĀ
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Contributed by
Supervised by Dr. Amy Fuller, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S
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