Caregiver Burnout
Hello -
2023 is in full swing, and we hope everything is going well!
We are aware that the end of last year brought challenges for many of you, and the new year is continuing to be quite stressful. We are right there with you! As some of you know, Don (Annette’s husband and Ada’s dad) experienced severe medical issues in December. While he is improving, the stress of the experience has stayed with us. When we were with Don in the hospital and accompanying him to his numerous medical appointments, we met many people in a similar situation. As a result, we have come to understand on a much deeper level how stressful it is to be a long-term caregiver for someone you love.
We have also been introduced more personally to the term “caregiver burnout.” We discussed burnout in a previous blog, but when we wrote that blog, the number of caregivers we had met was pretty limited.
Caregiving can be stressful even if it only lasts a short while, and long-term caregiving stress and exhaustion need more attention and recognition.
According to a highly informative article from Presbyterian Homes:
The number of family caregivers in America has increased by over 10 million between 2015 and 2020, with 1 in 5 adults caring for loved ones without pay. Twenty-one percent of these caregivers describe their own health as being poor, and part of this can be attributed to caregiver burnout.
“Caregiver burnout is prevalent and serious,” says Ramona Wilt, Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Sales at Presbyterian Homes. “These feelings of extreme stress and exhaustion can lead to negative outcomes for both caregivers and their loved ones. It’s important to have a plan in place to support your mental health as you provide home care services.
This article and other resources point out some of the more common signs of caregiver burnout:
Feeling worn out and never having enough energy
Experiencing stress or panic because of the financial strain brought on by the loss of ability to work because of the demands of caregiving
Having trouble sleeping, many times because of being awakened multiple times during the night to help assist the person for whom they are caring
Becoming isolated from friends and social activities because of the all-encompassing nature of caregiving
Being unable to engage in activities they previously enjoyed, eventually losing interest because they see no hope in ever returning to these activities or returning seems very far off
Gaining or losing weight
Feeling trapped in a situation with no solution
Becoming uncharacteristically impatient or argumentative with their loved one or with others
Suffering from depression or anxiety, chronic headaches, stomachaches, or other ailments
Developing a weakened immune system
The good news is that awareness of caregiver burnout is becoming more prominent, and respite care is more available.
We also have some ideas:
If you are the caregiver, please be gentle with yourself. If your caregiving is long-term, you must remember that this is a marathon and make yourself a priority. If you give everything to others, you won’t have anything left for you:
First and foremost, ask for and locate help and emotional support – from family, friends, and other sources.
While it may not always be possible, or it may sound unfeasible, make your own needs a priority:
Exercise and incorporate other forms of self-care into your daily life
Maintain your other relationships by talking on the phone and communicating regularly
Do something for yourself every day, such as taking a few moments to stretch, reading a book, or watching an uplifting program on TV
Remember, you can only do so much. Do the best you can without giving all of yourself away and putting too much pressure on yourself!
With care and consideration,
Annette and Ada