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11 Common Signs of Caregiver Burnout and How to Recover

Stop us if this sounds familiar: through one avenue or another, you’ve found yourself as the primary caregiver for a loved one with dementia. Yes, you’re doing it out of love (and maybe a little bit of obligation), and you’re happy to help however you can. But you’re feeling stressed. Tired. Cranky. Perhaps a little hopeless as you look down the road and realize there’s no end in sight. And maybe, just maybe, you find yourself regretting that you’re in this situation – and just as quickly feel guilty for having those thoughts.

Don’t fret. You’re not a bad person for feeling this way, and you’re definitely not alone. Nearly 40 million adults in North America are currently caring for senior loved ones, and 32 percent of them describe their experience as “stressful.” Frankly, we’re surprised the number is so low.

“The majority of elderly adults who require caregiving assistance are receiving it from loved ones who have not been professionally trained,” says Barbara Harrison, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke, a memory care assisted living community in Pembroke, MA. “While this is a selfless and wonderful gesture, it is also incredibly overwhelming for those who aren’t psychologically ready for it, which can lead to caregiver stress and, ultimately, burnout.”

And that’s a real problem, Barbara says. “By the time a caregiver suspects or realizes they’re burned out, they’re already experiencing all sorts of symptoms that are affecting their daily life and health. If burnout goes on for too long, it’s a recipe for health issues that cause both you and your loved one to suffer. It shouldn’t be taken lightly, and all caregivers and loved ones should understand the signs and take precautions to avoid it from happening.”

What Is Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout is described by psychologists as “a debilitating psychological condition brought about by unrelieved stress.” It occurs most often when caregivers aren’t getting the help they need or they’re biting off more than they can chew – whether physically, financially, mentally, emotionally or a combo of any of those!

What Causes Caregiver Burnout?

What doesn’t cause caregiver burnout? Oftentimes, caregivers are so busy caring for their loved ones that they neglect to take care of themselves. The constant push-push-push of physical, emotional and mental strain will eventually become overwhelming, which can lead to hopelessness, burnout and breakdown. Here are some other factors that can exacerbate the situation:

  • Unrealistic expectations. Many caregivers leap into the role expecting that their loved one will be positively affected by their help. Unfortunately, that’s not often possible for individuals with a progressive disease like dementia.
  • Role confusion. Both caregiver and care recipient may experience difficulties as their roles shift from parent to patient, spouse to caregiver, child to adult, etc.
  • Lack of control. Dementia isn’t something that can be controlled, and many caregivers can become overwhelmed by the inability to effectively manage, organize and plan for their loved one’s care.
  • Unreasonable demands. Caregivers can expect far too much of themselves and take on too much of the responsibility of caring for their loved one at the expense of their or their family’s well-being.

11 Warning Signs of Caregiver Burnout

It’s common to feel tired, exasperated or frustrated as a caregiver. However, if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, you may be well on the road to caregiver burnout.

  • Overwhelming fatigue and an overall lack of energy
  • Difficulty sleeping, whether too much or too little
  • Feeling depressed and hopeless
  • A change in eating habits that causes weight to fluctuate (either up or down)
  • Becoming socially withdrawn and avoiding participating in activities you enjoy
  • Neglecting your own needs – physical, emotional, mental – to care for others
  • Feeling as if the role of “caregiver” is dominating your life
  • Being unusually frustrated, argumentative or impatient with everyone around you, particularly close family members and your loved one with dementia
  • Having anxiety about the future
  • An increased difficulty coping with day-to-day tasks
  • Physical issues like increased or lingering bouts of illness, stomach aches, headaches and other problems

How to Prevent Caregiver Burnout

Now that you understand what caregiver burnout looks like, here are some tips to help you before you get to that point.

  • Ask for help. And do it often. You simply can’t do everything yourself, and that doesn’t make you a bad caregiver. We all need help once in a while, and there are many people surrounding you who care about you and would love to give you the helping hand you require. Think of people you know who can help and give them specific tasks that will ease your burden.
  • Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough exercise and be sure to visit your doctor on a regular basis. Get 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night and do something each day that’s all about you – whether it’s taking a walk around the block, reading for 10 minutes or getting out to have coffee with friends.
  • Look into community resources. Contact your local Agency on Aging or connect with memory care communities, senior centers and adult day care services to see what options may be available to you or your loved one. Not only will these services help take some work off your plate, but you can also get connected with others in similar situations who can be a source of support.
  • Find someone you can talk to. Whether you choose a close friend, a trusted advisor or a medical professional, it’s important to find a place where you can discuss your feelings and frustrations. You can also look into support groups, both in-person and online, to connect with other caregivers in your area.
  • Accept your feelings and be kind to yourself. Being a caregiver is a tough job. Having bad days or feeling frustrated or angry is normal and you shouldn’t feel bad about that – even though we’re our own worst critics. You’re human, and you’re dealing with some rather superhuman obstacles. Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace.

Compassionate Care for All Stages of Memory Loss

Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.

Dedicated Memory Care

The team of compassionate dementia-care experts at Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke delivers 24-hour assistance and inspiring programs that exercise physical and cognitive abilities – all in a supportive, purposefully designed environment. For added peace of mind, we offer simple, all-inclusive pricing options that help make the process a little easier for families.

Community Amenities

Characterized by a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Pembroke provides everything residents with memory loss need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a peaceful and secure environment where residents feel at home.

Contact us today to learn more.

Learn More About Bridges®

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