How to recognize and avoid caregiver burnout

St. Clare Home Health Services can Help

Today, more than 40 million adults in North America are caring for a loved one. 70% of those caretakers are caring for a family member over the age of 65 and 32% describe the experience as overwhelming or stressful.

While every situation is different, and every family finds themselves at a different point in their level of caregiving capacity, the demands of caregiving can be exhausting.

However, there is support and there are strategies for reorganizing your priorities to make you a happier person and a better caregiver.

What is caregiver burnout?

The first step to identifying caregiver burnout is to understand what it is. Since caring for a loved one is often a long-term commitment, emotional and physical impacts can compound over time. If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it will inevitably affect your health, other relationships and overall state of mind – leading to burnout, a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion. When you reach that point, both you and the person you’re caring for suffer. That’s why taking care of yourself and prioritizing your own well-being is just as important as making sure your friend or family member is cared for.

When you’re able to recognize the signs of caregiver burn out, you’re able to take action to prevent things from becoming worse and improve the situation. Common signs and symptoms of caregiver stress include:

• Anxiety, depression, irritability

• Feeling tired and run down

• Difficulty sleeping

• Overreacting to minor nuisances

• New or worsening health problems

• Trouble concentrating

• Feeling increasingly resentful

• Neglecting responsibilities

• Cutting back on leisure activities

Common signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout include:

• Lower levels of energy

• Increasingly prone to illness

• Constantly exhausted, even after sleeping

• Neglectful of your own needs

• Trouble relaxing

• Increasingly impatient and irritable with the person being cared for

• Feeling helpless or hopeless

How to avoid caregiver burnout

The truth is, being a caregiver will never be stress-free. However, consider the following tips to help learn to cope, avoid burnout and find more balance in your life.

Feel empowered. Feeling powerless is the number one contributor to burnout and depression. Even if you’re feeling stuck in a role you weren’t expecting or helpless to change things for the better, you aren’t powerless. The following steps might seem small, but they can make a big difference in changing your state of mind:

• Practice acceptance.

• Embrace your caregiving choice.

• Focus on the things you can control.

• Celebrate the small victories.

Take care of your own health. There’s a reason you’re always supposed to put on your own air mask before assisting others. By being proactive and prioritizing your own care, you are better positioned to also provide care to others. Don’t add to the stress of caregiving by doing the following for your own good:

• Keep on top of doctor visits.

• Exercise regularly.

• Eat well and don’t skimp on sleep.

Give yourself a break. There’s a difference between being busy and being productive. If you’re not regularly taking time off to destress and recharge, you end up accomplishing less in the long run. Give yourself permission to rest and maintain a life outside of caregiving:

• Enjoy time with friends.

• Prioritize activities that bring you enjoyment.

• Find ways to pamper yourself.

• Get out of the house.

Ask for caregiving help. Taking on all of the responsibilities of caregiving without regular breaks or assistance is a recipe for burnout. Considering a partner like St. Clare Home Health can be the key to maintaining quality care and your relationship with who you’re caring for. You can relieve the pressure of having to do everything alone by taking the following steps:

• Look into home health care services.

• Spread the responsibility.

• Set up a regular check-in with another family member or friend.

• Practice saying “yes” when someone offers help.

At St. Clare, we understand the unique needs of elderly care no matter to what extent or where the care is needed. A free in-home assessment will help us (and you) understand where St. Clare can help. Whether for our patients in long-term assisted living, short-term stay or in their home, our skilled nursing staff has experience prioritizing day-to-day care and balancing the necessary support for their families.