Caregiver Burnout and Stress: Identifying and Coping with It
Caregivers can be defined as a family member or neighbor providing care for a loved one, usually unpaid. Other words to describe a caregiver are selfless, compassionate and hardworking. The National Alliance for Caregiving estimates that about 21% of households in the United States are impacted by caregiving responsibilities.
The responsibilities of caregiving for a loved one are great and overwhelming. While it can be very rewarding to be the sole provider of care, many stressors are involved that can induce a great deal of stress on the caregiver and other members of the household. The pressures of caregiving full time can cause burnout. Below are the a few signs that you may be experiencing caregiver burnout and stress:
- Withdrawal from friends, family and loved ones.
- Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed.
- Experiencing feelings of sadness, helplessness and irritability.
- Changes in appetite and/or weight.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Emotional and/or physical exhaustion.
- Neglect of your own health and well-being.
*Please note, this is not an all-inclusive list and should not serve as a medical diagnosis.
There are many ways to help combat caregiver burnout and stress, but asking for help and taking time for yourself to recharge mentally and physically are two of the most effective. That is where we can help. As a provider of home care services for 28 years, you can trust that our care providers will keep everything running smoothly while you take some time for yourself. The mental and physical stress that comes with caregiving full time is great, but we can help take some of that stress away. Give us a call today for a free in-person consultation: (314) 822-3736.
