Caregiver Burnout – The signs and how to overcome it.

Caregiver burnout is real. Many people go through it and don’t even realize it’s happening to them until it’s too late. There are signs to look for early on that can prevent a full-blown burnout and save you from days, weeks, or even months of recovery.

What exactly is caregiver burnout?

According to the American Heart Association, “Caregiver burnout is caused by too much long-term stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and can’t meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role.”

These roles may include caring for an elderly parent, a physically or mentally ill child, or a client who suffers from Dementia or Alzheimer. Simply put, anyone who makes the conscious decision of taking care of someone other than themselves can suffer from caregiver burnout.

Here are some questions to ask yourself, which may help you determine if you may be suffering from caregiver burnout:

• Exhaustion – Are you normally a very energetic person, full of life, and as of late are noticing that you are tired throughout the day, or have little to no stamina?
• Irritable – Are you short with your responses when communicating with your loved ones or clients than normal? Do you no longer find humor in things or see yourself smiling less?
• Anxiety/Depression – Are you feeling anxious lately about matters that would have never bothered you as much in the past? Are you unable to control your emotions as much, are you quick to cry, or do you completely zone out from reality for a spell? Do you find that distancing yourself from family and friends is best for you?
• Sleep Patterns – Has your sleep schedule changed out of the blue? Are you waking up at odd hours of the night and are unable to go back to sleep?
• Health Issues – Are you noticing that you are having health concerns suddenly and are not sure why?

If you are able to answer yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from caregiver burnout at some level.

Here are some tips on combating caregiver burnout that may help you:

Acknowledge – First and foremost, be honest with yourself about how you are feeling. It is okay to say “I am not okay”. Acknowledgment is often times the hardest step but is the most necessary step to begin the process of recovering from caregiver burnout.

Never think you’re in it alone – Speak with your support system. Your support system may include your family, friends, your spouse, counselor or therapist, or even your primary care physician. Communicating with your support system is crucial to getting you through this trying time. Have people around you that will be accountable for you helps make you accountable for yourself in return.

Lessen your workload – There’s an old saying that goes “you can do anything, but not everything”. Your body will always let you know when you are doing too much. The problem is you rarely listen to it. You are allowed to slow down or reassign some of your daily tasks to others. And in most cases, your team, family and co-workers will be ready and willing to jump right in to lend a helping hand.

Hire support – Oftentimes caregiver burnout happens to family members who are caring for their loved ones while working a full-time job/career and running a full household. They do this for several reasons, but one we often hear is because they promised their parents that they would never send them to a nursing home and/or they would always allow them to remain in their own homes in their senior years. In doing this the caregiver rarely ever thinks about hiring someone to assist them in taking some of the pressure and responsibility off of them. In their minds, they think no one can take care of my parents better than I can, right? While this may be true, eventually you have to ask yourself, how can I take care of my parents or loved ones, if I can no longer take care of myself? It’s really hard to pour from an empty vessel. Hire a home health care agency that can provide support staff for you and your loved ones. Be selective yes, but be determined to make life easier on yourself and your loved ones. Trust me, they know the pressure you’re under most of the time, and can offer support staff to help care for your loved ones get through the day to day or to just be that companion needed to make them feel comfortable in your absence. It’s okay to say “I need help”.

Plan a vacation – After you’ve acknowledged, talked, and hired support, do yourself a favor, and plan a vacation! Your vacation can be anything from a week-long trip that requires a plane, blue water, and endless mimosa’s, to a day of pampering with a massage a salon visit and a manicure and pedicure (men can do this too). Plan a day at home listening to your favorite music, binge-watching television with a glass of wine and your warm snuggie (do they still sell those…just curious). Whatever you plan to do, make yourself the most important factor in your planning.

These are just a few tips to help with caregiver burnout. To learn more, or to join/support others caregivers who are on a day to day mission to bring joy to those who need it most, feel free to join our Caregiver Burnout Group on Facebook by clicking the link. Remember you are not alone.