How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on September 26, 2016
How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
Important self-care tips for family caregivers.
Being a caregiver for an elderly loved one can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be a stressful and exhausting one. The demands of caregiving can be overwhelming, particularly if you feel like you don’t have control over the situation. Furthermore, the challenges of caregiving are chronic and long-term. You may face years or even decades of caregiving. If you don’t keep the stress of caregiving in check, it can have a negative impact on your own health and relationships.
Caregiver burnout is real, but you don’t have to let it affect you. It’s important to care for yourself and maintain a sense of joy, hope, and balance in your life to keep stress at bay.
When you care for yourself, you care for your loved one. If you don’t receive the physical and emotional support that you need, you could suffer from a variety of problems, including anxiety, depression, and chronic illness. Below are some signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout:
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Feeling resentful
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Having trouble concentrating
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Irritability
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Difficulty sleeping
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New or worsening health problems
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Feeling exhausted constantly
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Neglecting responsibilities
One of the primary contributors to caregiver burnout is the feeling of powerlessness. Many times, caregivers feel like they are in a role that they didn’t expect and that they are unable to change their situation. Therefore, the first step to avoiding caregiver burnout is to embrace your role as a caregiver. Remember that you made a conscious choice to become a caregiver. Perhaps you decided to become a caregiver in order to pay your elderly parent back for the care they provided you growing up, or maybe you want to be a role model for your children. Whatever the reason, make that the motivation behind your role as a caregiver, so you don’t lose sight of the bigger picture, even when times get tough.
Talk to a Supportive Friend or Family Member
Talk to a supportive family member about your feelings and frustrations. They can acknowledge your efforts when you’re feeling unappreciated and give you a shoulder to lean on during difficult times. You can also join a caregiver support group to share your experiences with others going through the same thing and to stay connected.
Take a Break and Make Time for Relaxation
Don’t let caregiving take over your entire life. Everybody needs to get out of the house every once in a while. Take breaks from caregiving by going out for a movie, taking a walk, or having lunch with a friend. Make time every day for relaxation. You can read a book, meditate, work in your garden, or take a long bath.
Ask for and Accept Help
Don’t expect your friends and family members to know what you need or how you feel. If you need help, be upfront about it. Try to get as many family members involved in caregiving as possible and divide up the responsibilities. For example, one person can handle medical care, another can buy groceries, and another can run errands, for example. Don’t be shy about accepting help from others when the opportunity arises. Create a list of small tasks that others could easily jump in and take care of.
Practice Preventive Healthcare
In order to keep yourself healthy and be a good caregiver, it’s important to take care of your own health by exercising, eating right, sleeping well, and resting when you’re ill. Unfortunately, caregivers often fail to take care of their own health because they’re consumed by their caregiving responsibilities. Taking care of oneself is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
If you find yourself unable to bear the burden of caregiving any longer or your aging parent or loved one’s health needs are too much to handle at home, it might be time to consider moving your loved one to an assisted living facility. Moving your loved one to an assisted living facility is never an easy decision to make, but it might be the best choice for the health and happiness of both parties.
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