Why Do Family Caregiver Burn Out
Caregivers and Caregiver Burnout
When family caregivers start to experience the long-term stress of caregiving it is called caregiver burnout. Caring for a loved one with an injury or illness is one of the hardest jobs a person can do, and when the condition is long-term the care can be overwhelming. When the condition is progressive, such as dementia and Alzheimer's, the physical and emotional stressors can be devastating.
The results of caregiver burnout include a loss of motivation for the caregiving, feelings of hopelessness and alienation, depression, exhaustion, chronic illness, and even drug and alcohol abuse. Additionally, family caregivers who are burned out tend to have problems at work, withdraw from their own social circles, take on poor eating habits, and several get …show more content…
to the point of feeling hopeless and suicidal.
One of the best ways to combat caregiver burnout is by taking advantage of professional caregivers.
These caregivers do not need to take over, but they can provide support, assistance, and even training to make things easier. Caregivers provide support in most every area of daily life from light housekeeping and laundry to cooking, running errands, personal care, and transportation. The support can be for as little as 30 minutes a week all the way up to complete 24 hour home care.
One of the most common uses for senior caregivers is to provide respite support. A respite is short break afforded to caregivers so they can take time off to take care of their personal business, sleep, catch up on their own social life, keep their personal doctors and dental appointments, and so forth. Respite breaks typically last from 3-4 hours to 3 to 4 days.
In addition to taking regular breaks, one of the best things a family caregiver can do to reduce the risk of caregiver burnout is exercise. Not only does exercise help reduce stress and anxiety, but it helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol down, lower weight, and it takes the mind off of caregiving for at least a few moments out of the
day. In short, caregiver burnout is a real thing with serious consequences. Thankfully, seniors caregivers can provide the support and assistance necessary for family members to take a break, rest, and recover before they jump back in. Even better, caregivers can come alongside family members to help provide regular support and lower the daily burden of chores and daily living tasks. What that looks like is completely up to the family caregivers. The most important idea is that caregiving is brutally stressful, but it does not need to be tackled alone.
When family caregivers start to experience the long-term stress of caregiving it is called caregiver burnout. Caring for a loved one with an injury or illness is one of the hardest jobs a person can do, and when the condition is long-term the care can be overwhelming. When the condition is progressive, such as dementia and Alzheimer's, the physical and emotional stressors can be devastating.
The results of caregiver burnout include a loss of motivation for the caregiving, feelings of hopelessness and alienation, depression, exhaustion, chronic illness, and even drug and alcohol abuse. Additionally, family caregivers who are burned out tend to have problems at work, withdraw from their own social circles, take on poor eating habits, and several get …show more content…
to the point of feeling hopeless and suicidal.
One of the best ways to combat caregiver burnout is by taking advantage of professional caregivers.
These caregivers do not need to take over, but they can provide support, assistance, and even training to make things easier. Caregivers provide support in most every area of daily life from light housekeeping and laundry to cooking, running errands, personal care, and transportation. The support can be for as little as 30 minutes a week all the way up to complete 24 hour home care.
One of the most common uses for senior caregivers is to provide respite support. A respite is short break afforded to caregivers so they can take time off to take care of their personal business, sleep, catch up on their own social life, keep their personal doctors and dental appointments, and so forth. Respite breaks typically last from 3-4 hours to 3 to 4 days.
In addition to taking regular breaks, one of the best things a family caregiver can do to reduce the risk of caregiver burnout is exercise. Not only does exercise help reduce stress and anxiety, but it helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol down, lower weight, and it takes the mind off of caregiving for at least a few moments out of the
day. In short, caregiver burnout is a real thing with serious consequences. Thankfully, seniors caregivers can provide the support and assistance necessary for family members to take a break, rest, and recover before they jump back in. Even better, caregivers can come alongside family members to help provide regular support and lower the daily burden of chores and daily living tasks. What that looks like is completely up to the family caregivers. The most important idea is that caregiving is brutally stressful, but it does not need to be tackled alone.