More than 40 million adults in North America taking care of an elderly, chronically ill or disabled loved one, according to Pew Research Center.
The role of a caregiver can be exhausting and overwhelming at times. The experts from Good Shepherd Penn Partners provide you with steps you can take to rein in stress and regain a sense of balance, joy, and hope in your life.
What is Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude—from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers do not get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able—either physically or financially.
Common Causes of Caregiver Burnout
- High expectations for loved one and yourself may not always be realistic
- Lack of control – many caregivers become frustrated if they don’t have the money, resources and skills to plan, manage, and organize their loved one’s care
- Putting unreasonable demands on yourself – sometimes you take on more than you can handle
- Self-sacrifice
- Taking over multiple family roles
Common Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout
Understanding the signs and symptoms of burnout is important, so you can take the steps needed to improve the situation for both you and the person you’re caring for.
- Anxiety
- Change in sleep patterns
- Emotional or physical exhaustion
- Irritability
- Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless and helpless
- Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones
- Changes in appetite, weight or both
- Feelings of depression
How to Prevent Caregiver Burnout
- Seeking out help – through family, friends, local resources, respite care, join support group
- Staying healthy – you can’t help your loved one if you aren’t healthy and feeling well!
- Identifying positive coping strategies – whether it be visiting with friends, reading, listening to music, exercising.
Penn Therapy & Fitness offers support groups for those in need. For more information please call 877-969-7342 or contact us for more information.