Understanding Caregiver Burnout

You may have heard the term “caregiver burnout” but do you know what it means?  According to WebMD, it is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. Unpaid caregivers devote an average of 20 hours a week to providing physical, financial, and emotional support for an older loved one or friend.   Though caregivers enjoy helping a loved one to age in place at home, there is a toll that is taken, resulting in stress, depression, and anxiety.

Caregivers are laser focused on providing support for a loved one and it can drain them physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Many factors can lead to caregiver burnout, including:

*Role reversal:  The role of the caregiver can feel new and awkward, replacing the feelings of being their loved one’s child, spouse, or other family member. When an adult child becomes a caregiver, the reversal of roles can throw off the dynamic that has always existed, especially as a parent may need time to adjust to feeling like a child in the relationship.

*Extreme demands:  Without even realizing it, the loved one or other family members like siblings or adult children can add to the responsibilities of the caregiver, making their life even more full of tasks and worries, especially if they are the primary caregiver. Keeping family members updated, handling the scheduling of medical appointments, and planning for the future can feel like more than one person can handle.

*Unrealistic expectations:  With the right intentions, caregivers hope that the support they provide will have a direct impact on raising the happiness of their loved one.  With patients who suffer from a progressive disease like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, this may not always happen, leading to a sense of depression in the caregiver.

A staggering 40% of family caregivers in the United States believe they are suffering from caregiver burnout. Symptoms can happen over time and may include fatigue, disruptions in eating and sleeping patterns, mood swings, and neglecting their own physical and emotional needs.

Asking for help can be difficult for caregivers. But that doesn’t have to be the case.  Understanding senior care options is powerful knowledge. Having a partner in care like CarePatrol can help lessen stress and provide the information needed to make an informed decision to support a loved one.  For over 30 years, CarePatrol Senior Advisors have given families peace of mind. Reach out to learn more.