According to the “Family Caregiver Annual Report and Statistics” at SeniorLiving.org, over 50 million adults in the U.S. are family caregivers. In addition to these numbers, there are also millions of professional caregivers who serve in nursing homes, hospitals and many other settings. Being a caregiver can be fulfilling in many ways, but also incredibly demanding, emotionally, physically and even financially. Given the many potential stressors of this role, both paid and unpaid caregivers are at risk of caregiver burnout. Whether you or someone you know is a caregiver, you may be wondering about the following:
- What is caregiver burnout?
- What are some signs of caregiver burnout?
- Are there any tips for family caregivers and others in this role regarding how to prevent caregiver burnout?
Keep reading to learn more about caregiver burnout, ways to prevent it and how a CCRC near you like Arbors of Hop Brook may be one solution to explore.
What is caregiver burnout?
If you are starting to feel like your elderly mother is consuming your life, you may be on the verge of or already experiencing caregiver burnout. Cleveland Clinic defines caregiver burnout as “a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that happens while you’re taking care of someone else.” Caregiver burnout has a number of causes and can have both immediate and long-term impacts on caregivers. As detailed at Johns Hopkins Medicine, there are many potential causes of caregiver burnout, from the sheer magnitude of care needed to conflicts between caregiving roles and other responsibilities.
What are some early signs and long-term impacts of caregiver burnout?
As shared at Healthline, there are both physical and emotional indicators of caregiver burnout. If you or someone you love is a caregiver, it’s important to know these potential signs and symptoms. Sometimes, identifying concerns early like feeling anxious and exhausted or neglecting your own needs and health may aid in how to prevent caregiver burnout before it has a greater physical impact or emotional toll. When these feelings or behaviors are left unchecked, consequences over time may include changes in appetite, problems sleeping and greater frequency of illness in addition to increased potential for symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, prioritizing how to prevent caregiver burnout is essential not only for the well-being of the caregiver but also the recipients of their care. Whether you are in a formal caregiving role or have taken on these responsibilities for a family member or friend, it’s important to know the potential indicators of caregiver burnout in order to manage them and seek help from your own support system or healthcare professional as needed.
How to Prevent Caregiver Burnout
If you have already noticed some potential signs of caregiver burnout or want to prevent it to the best of your ability, now is the time to act. Making changes sooner rather than later is vital in how to avoid caregiver burnout or address it, how to care for yourself and how to be of greatest service to the person or people in your care. The list below includes helpful tips for family caregivers, as well as anyone in a caregiving role.
- Take care of yourself! The Mayo Clinic emphasizes how important it is for caregivers to prioritize their own health and well-being. While a healthy diet, exercise and quality sleep are consistent recommendations for one’s health in general, they can sometimes fall by the wayside for caregivers. If you notice these changes, as well as any other signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout, it’s time to reinvest in self-care.
- Activate your support network regularly and expand it as needed. From other family members and caregiver support groups to doctors and mental health counselors, ask for help and allow people to care for and be present for you, just as you are for others. For example, the Caregiver Action Network offers a wide range of resources as well as peer support via Kindly Human, a Caregiver Help Desk and more!
- Be realistic about your capabilities as a caregiver. For family caregivers in particular, it is essential to be honest about what you can and cannot do for the person in your care. Although you may want to do everything in your power to honor that individual’s wishes and needs, it sometimes is not feasible or manageable while maintaining your own life and well-being. If you are noting increasing complications with daily care for the elderly person in your life or other signs that it might be time for assisted living, then a senior living community like Arbors of Hop Brook may be the next best step.
Prioritizing self-care and accessing support are two of the most important steps to take in how to help prevent caregiver burnout. For family caregivers and their loved ones, one option for greater support is to consider a continuing care retirement community like Arbors of Hop Brook. Call us today to discuss potential next steps in care, to learn more about our available services and amenities or to schedule a tour of our community!