Caring for another person can be fulfilling and enjoyable, but you need support and coping strategies to achieve a healthy balance between your personal life and caregiving. Caregiver burnout is a problem for many adults working in the healthcare industry or providing daily assistance for a family member with a health condition. Learn what caregiver burnout is and how to avoid it.
What Is Caregiver Burnout?
Burnout is a psychological condition that can impact your daily life, mental health, and physical health. For caregivers, if you push yourself beyond your limits, mentally or physically, for a long time, you may begin experiencing the symptoms of burnout, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Debilitating exhaustion
- Anger issues
- Insomnia
- Brain fog
- Lowered immune function
Caregiver burnout happens when you don’t have any energy or motivation to continue providing care for your loved one or patients. It can happen to both family caregivers and professionals.
Stages of Burnout and Early Warning Signs
Once you get to the point of burnout, you may need counseling or other serious interventions to get back to feeling like yourself. Fortunately, caregiver burnout doesn’t usually happen overnight but in stages.
During the first 12 to 18 months of providing care for people or a family member, you may feel highly motivated and happy to offer your time and energy. However, once the challenges of caregiving increase, it can be hard to keep your head above water, especially if your loved one’s condition deteriorates. Confusion over what roles you’re supposed to fill in someone’s life can also add to the stress.
If the pressures of caregiving continue to increase, you may feel trapped or desperate. When you feel like you have no compassion for your loved one or patients, you may be experiencing caregiver fatigue or the early stages of burnout.
How To Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Recovering from caregiver burnout takes time, but there are things you can do to avoid this situation altogether. Professional caregivers often have resources to help them deal with the emotional and physical strain of providing medical and routine assistance to patients. Family caregivers need to prioritize the support network available to them.
Start by teaching yourself as much as you can about your loved one’s condition. Be realistic about what you can and can’t do for them. Make time for self-care, including eating well, exercising, and keeping up with your hobbies.
Outside resources such as support groups and respite care can offer effective relief for family caregivers. You can schedule respite care with a professional home health aid, agency, facility, or adult day care service. Whether you utilize a few hours or one to three days of respite care, it can be incredibly beneficial for your mental health if you’re a primary caregiver.
The Benefits of Transitioning to Long-Term Care
While many older adults can age at home, some health conditions require daily care and attention that may outpace what you can provide for your loved one. Transitioning to long-term care can help you and your loved one by ensuring your needs are met. Schedule a visit to one of our long-term care communities and see the difference holistic and dignified care makes today.
