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<\/p>\nIdentifying and Avoiding Caregiver Burnout<\/b><\/p>\n
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Many of our clients are caring for or being cared for by a loved one.\u00a0 More than 65 million Americans care for family members who need assistance due to chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.\u00a0 These millions of family caregivers may include spouses, parents, or children of the person receiving care.\u00a0 Even when family members are not providing direct care themselves, they are often still the ones who arrange for and manage the care their loved ones need.\u00a0 These people are still part of the caregiving team and share in the emotional and financial stresses that can result from being a caregiver.\u00a0 Caregivers are often so focused on the needs of the person for whom they are caring that they forget to care for themselves.\u00a0 This puts them at risk for caregiver burnout.<\/p>\n
Caregiver burnout is the physical and mental exhaustion caused by the prolonged stress of being a caregiver.\u00a0 If you are a caregiver, you may not even realize that what you are experiencing is burnout or that there are things you can and should do to make things better.\u00a0 If you are acting as a loved one\u2019s caregiver, be alert for sigs that could indicate that what you are feeling is more than just being a little bit tired.\u00a0 Take a look at the following list of symptoms of caregiver burnout to see if any of them apply to you:<\/p>\n
If some of these symptoms apply to you, there is something you can do about it:<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Protect your health.<\/b>\u00a0 See your doctor regularly, eat a healthy diet, get sufficient rest, and make time to exercise.\u00a0 Stress doesn\u2019t just affect you emotionally; it can also take a physical toll.<\/p>\n
2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Develop a strong support system.<\/b>\u00a0 Find a support group where you can share your situation and learn coping strategies.\u00a0 Talk to supportive friends and family.\u00a0 See a counselor or therapist to help you deal with the emotional impact of being a caregiver.<\/p>\n
3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Accept help!\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>Share responsibilities with other family members and friends.\u00a0 Forgive yourself for not being able to do everything – no one can. \u00a0Giving yourself a break will allow you to be a better caregiver to your loved one.\u00a0 Learn to say no when your responsibilities become too much and identify people you can reach out to when you need a hand.\u00a0 Look into respite care, a short-term care arrangement that can provide a break for family caregivers.\u00a0 The time period for respite care can vary from a couple of days to a couple of months.\u00a0 It can also take different forms.\u00a0 You may prefer to find an in-home option or choose to arrange a temporary stay at a local assisted living community.<\/p>\n
4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stay involved with the things that make you happy.<\/b>\u00a0 Make time for your hobbies and other interests.\u00a0 Read a book.\u00a0 Take a yoga class.\u00a0 Meet a friend for dinner or a movie.\u00a0 Don\u2019t count running errands or doing chores as a break.\u00a0 Take a\u00a0real\u00a0<\/i>break from time to time and do something for yourself.<\/p>\n
We have seen many clients and their loved ones who were experiencing caregiver burnout.\u00a0 They did not want to burden other family members or admit that they needed help.\u00a0 Caring for yourself will not only make you a happier, healthier person but it will also make you a more effective caregiver.\u00a0 If you are an overwhelmed caregiver, we may be able to help.\u00a0 Call our office at 888-822-8778 to learn about the options that may be available to you and your loved one to help both of you improve your quality of life.<\/p>\n
Identifying and Avoiding Caregiver Burnout<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n