When caregivers constantly feel fatigued, depressed, or hopeless, they may experience caregiver burnout. To recover from this condition, caregivers need to be able to identify the causes of burnout. Here are six reasons caregivers may feel burned out.
1.Confusion
When you become a caregiver, your relationship with your loved one might change. It can be challenging to navigate the transition from parent/child or husband/wife to caregiver/care recipient. You may have difficulty separating these two roles, and it could cause a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from confusion to anger. To manage confusion and other negative emotions in a healthy manner, find a way to embrace your new role.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Align Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2.Too Many Responsibilities
Many caregivers take on too many responsibilities. They try to do everything by themselves without asking for assistance or allocating tasks to other family members, which may leave them overworked and exhausted. When caregiver burnout is a result of overwork, you should set reasonable limitations. Scale back your daily duties, and find help when you need it.
Unreasonable expectations aren’t always self-imposed. Sometimes other family members don’t understand how difficult caregiving can be, and they end up asking too much of the caregiver. When you find yourself in such a situation, explain the extent of your responsibilities and be clear that you expect additional support going forward.
3. Unsatisfying Results
Caregiving can be an emotionally unfulfilling experience, especially for people caring for seniors with dementia and other progressive diseases. It can be challenging to provide such diligent care only to watch your loved one’s health become progressively worse.
When your loved one’s decreasing health is making you feel burned out, consider taking a break. You don’t have to take a week-long vacation. Even a few hours spent away from the house can have a restorative effect. In-home caregivers can also help overworked family caregivers get some alone time.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Portland, ME, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Align Home Care. Our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
4..Inadequate Support
Many caregivers spend every day supporting their loved ones, but they often lack a support system of their own. Overworked caregivers withdraw from friends, and the lack of socialization exacerbates burnout.
When burnout is the result of inadequate support, reach out to friends, family, and loved ones for help. Reaching out can be difficult, especially when you’re in the throes of burnout. You may want to start with a simple phone call or even a conversation via text. Eventually, you should try to reestablish old bonds and get the help you need for the future.
5.Lack of Sleep
If you don’t get enough sleep, you may not have the energy needed to care for your loved one. The lack of energy could take a toll on your emotional and mental health, leaving you perpetually tired, irritable, anxious, and depressed. To enhance the quality of your sleep, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, remove distractions before bedtime, and create a comfortable sleeping environment.
6. No Time for Personal Interests
When caregivers lack a strong sense of self, it can lead to burnout. To avoid feeling burned out, maintain personal interests and hobbies that provide an outlet to retreat to when the burdens of caregiving become overwhelming.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to take a break from your duties to relax and prevent burnout. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional at-home care, Portland Align Home Care should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. To hire a dedicated caregiver, call Align Home Care at (207) 835-3605 today.