It is not uncommon to hear people talk about job burnout. This is especially true for nurses, teachers, social workers, daycare, and nursing home workers, and others who devote their work hours to serving a vulnerable population. But what about family members who are caring for a disabled or elderly loved one? They are the caregivers who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For this group, there is virtually no end to their workday. Burnout is a reality in many professions, but it’s often more pronounced for family caregivers at home. This article will explore the signs of caregiver burnout in home caregivers and offer proactive coping strategies.
The Impact of Caregiver Burnout
Put simply, caregiver burnout is a condition that impacts the caregiver’s physical, mental and emotional state. The constant, 24/7 demands of caregiving can lead to physical fatigue, depression, anxiety, and withdrawal, especially for those without support or respite. Often spouses are left caring for their partners when children are grown and have moved away. Or it might be an adult child taking care of an elderly parent, or even a single parent caring for a disabled child. Understanding the signs of burnout is crucial, but knowing how to cope with caregiving stress is even more vital. We discussed this in detail in a previous Honest Medical blog post, Stress Less, Care More: Vital Self-Care Tips for Caregivers. The following are some of the results you may experience if you are caring for a loved one at home:
⚠️ Warning Signs of Burnout when Caregiving
Feeling Exhausted:
If you are an at home caregiver, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of caring for your loved one. This can leave you feeling drained and emotionally and physically tired, so you don’t have energy for the other people or interests in your life.
Expressing Negativity:
You may find yourself reacting more negatively than usual. This can cause you to withdraw from friends and neglect pursuits that used to interest you.
Feeling Anxious and Depressed:
In its more extreme forms, this withdrawal and negativity can result in feelings of depression and anxiety. These may be conditions you’ve never experienced before and could also cause you to become frustrated and more irritable with your loved one and others.
Having Trouble Concentrating:
You may find that caregiver burnout results in a lack of focus or difficulty concentrating. This can also be a result of feeling depressed and withdrawn or anxious.
Neglecting Self-Care:
If you are skipping even simple daily tasks that you never missed before – brushing your teeth, bathing, exercising, etc. – it is often due to the burnout syndrome. Over a prolonged period, this kind of neglect can impact your health and feelings of well-being.
Changing Eating and Sleeping Habits:
Are your daily eating and sleeping habits changing? This is another place where burnout can manifest itself. If your appetite has changed – in either direction – and you are having trouble sleeping or waking up, these may be attributable to the stress of burnout.
Long-Term Effects of Caregiver Burnout
It’s important for caregivers to realize that the negative effects of burnout can become entrenched and harder to deal with if they are ignored. These long-term effects can include the following:
- Health Impact: The results of burnout including changes in eating and sleeping patterns, feelings of depression and anxiety, and ignoring self-care, can lead to serious health problems. This can mean both physical and mental health decline.
- Impact on Your Loved One’s Care: Experiencing the adverse mental and physical impacts of caregiver burnout can undermine your ability to be an effective caregiver. When you take care of yourself, you are much better equipped to care for your loved one.
- Impact on Family and Friends: It is easy to see that if caregiver burnout leaves you feeling withdrawn, depressed and negative, it will surely affect your relationships with others. This can mean even less support from those you may need the most.
Finding Relief from Caregiver Burnout
If you’ve ever flown, you’ll remember the instructions for those flying with a child: “If oxygen is needed, put the oxygen mask on yourself, first.” That’s because if you’re not breathing, you won’t be much good to your child. The same can be said of caregiving. If you’re not caring for yourself, you won’t be taking the best care of your loved one.
💡 Do this Before Reaching Burnout
- Ask for Help: Even the most able and conscientious caregiver is susceptible to caregiver burnout. Don’t be hesitant to ask for help, whether from a family member or professional caregiving assistance. Taking a break from your caregiver routine offers a chance for you to pursue hobbies, go out with friends or just relax. No one can be on-call 24/7 without some relief from their obligations.
- Join a Support Group: There are many support groups for those going through similar stressful situations. Connecting with others can help you get new ideas and reassure you that you are not alone. The following are some organizations you can contact online to find caregiver support groups and other resources in your area:
- Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA): Their website offers online and in-person support
- National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC): They do research on improving the lives of caregivers and their website includes caregiver resources.
- American Self-Help Clearing House: You can search for groups related to caregiving concerns, illnesses, disabilities, and other stressful life situations.
- Make Self-Care a Priority: There are many activities and pursuits that can help you relax and focus on your own well-being. This can include mindfulness training, meditation, pursuing hobbies you love or being with friends. Whatever helps you find space for yourself, where you can relax, will help you be happier so you can be a better caregiver.
- Have Realistic Expectations: Caregiving, especially for a loved one, can be all-encompassing. Don’t underestimate the responsibilities involved and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
- Pursue Professional Help if Needed: If your feelings of burnout are severe, you should consider seeking professional help such as individual counseling or group therapy.
- Be Sure to Get the Benefits You Deserve: In many states, there are funds set aside to help home caregivers get benefits as they take care of disabled or elderly loved ones. These benefits are outlined in the following article from Honest Medical: Caregiving that Counts: A Guide to Earning While Supporting Your Loved Ones.
Honest Medical Is Here to Provide Product Support
Whatever your caregiving situation, whether you are a home caregiver or working in a healthcare environment, you can count on Honest Medical to have the health and wellness supplies you need, when you need them and at affordable prices. If you have any questions about any of the products we offer, please call an Honest Medical Care Specialists at (833) 933-2323. We are here to provide the knowledge, support and expertise you need.
Get more information about caregiving in the following Honest Ideas articles:
- Stress Less, Care More: Vital Self-Care Tips for Caregivers
- Essential Steps for Burn Wound Care: A Caregiver’s Guide to Effective Treatment
- Caregiving that Counts: A Guide to Earning While Supporting Your Loved Ones
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