Caregiver Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion due to excessive, long term stress usually associated with providing care for a loved one. Caregiver Burnout does not happen in an instant like the flu, it develops gradually over time. Because caregivers spend so much of their time providing care for a loved one, they neglect their own health and well-being. Often the self neglect that leads to Caregiver Burnout is made worse because the caregiver feels guilty when they take time to care for themselves or their health forces them to focus on themselves. Over time this causes burnout.
Caregiver burnout is marked by a variety of symptoms:
- Feelings of depression and hopelessness
- Constant fatigue
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Irritability
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in eating habits or weight
- Loss of interest in beloved activities
- Even rage toward the person for whom they are caring
Caregiver Burnout not only negatively affects the caregiver’s mental health, it can also cause physical and chronic illnesses. Many report that their health is worse than it was before they began their caregiving role. Those who have been caregivers for a long time tend to have higher incidents of heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
Caregivers must be attentive to their own mental and physical health. When you or your loved ones notice the signs of burnout, seek help immediately for yourself and your loved one. Help can and should include the following:
- asking for assistance from family and friends so you can get a break
- placing the individual receiving care in respite care for a few days to give you that break
- getting yourself any appropriate medical care
- joining a support group of other caregivers
- attending any appropriate counseling to help to deal with caregiver stress
For more information about the signs and symptoms of Caregiver Burnout or ways to prevent it, visit:
- http://www.helpguide.org/elder/caring_for_caregivers.htm
- Find Local Caregiver Resources Serving Florida (aarp.org)
- http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/caregiver-burnout
I post caregiver tips every Monday on my Facebook and Twitter pages. Are you experiencing Caregiver Burnout or are you concerned about it happening to you? I would like to hear from you on this blog or my social media pages!
