Caregiving can be a daunting task - it often means taking on extra work and extra stress. Sometimes these additional responsibilities can become too much and lead to caregiver burnout. But burnout is not inevitable. Learn to recognize the symptoms and do something about them before they take over your life.
Caregiver burnout is characterized by a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, coupled with negative attitude changes, according to WebMD. Burnout often occurs when a caregiver has taken on more duties than they can handle. Many people are thrust into being a caregiver without adequate time to prepare for the role, and attempt to tackle a mountain of new responsibilities alone.
It can be challenging to add another person’s welfare to your daily routine, and many caregivers give up their own well-being for that of a loved one. Caregivers frequently forget to take time for themselves or become frustrated if a loved one’s condition doesn’t improve. Ignoring these early signs of stress can lead to more serious issues down the road.
If you are put in a caregiver role – voluntarily or otherwise – it is important to be honest about how much you can handle, physically and financially. It is crucial to understand your own limits and seek help when you need it. If you find yourself regularly becoming irritable, withdrawing from favorite activities, constantly fatigued, drastically changing your eating habits, shying away from time with friends and family, or having feelings of depression, burnout is probably setting in and you need to seek help.
However, caregiver burnout can be prevented in a number of ways. Try these tactics to find the method – or methods – that is right for you.
Educate yourself about your loved one’s affliction. If you understand the kinds of aid that they need, you can be more effective in your caregiving and have peace of mind that you are doing all you can.
Talk about your feelings with a friend, family member, or medical professional. It is important to acknowledge what you’re feeling and find support. You are not alone in this situation alone. There are also many online forums and support groups for caregivers that provide support 24/7.
Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Even when caregiving seems overwhelming, remember to take care of yourself and attend to your own needs. Make staying healthy your priority, and you’ll have more energy and patience when it comes to caregiving.
Take advantage of respite opportunities. Don’t forget to take time for yourself; you deserve regular breaks. Adult day care centers, home health care aides and temporary nursing home stays can relieve you from caregiving responsibilities for a period and allow you time to relax and rejuvenate. Try planning a regular respite vacation to keep you from becoming overwhelmed.