Caregiver Burnout: It’s Okay to Ask for Help
The demands of caring for an aging parent can be overwhelming. Unlike professional healthcare providers, like physicians and nurses, informal caregivers – typically family members and friends – simply aren’t emotionally and mentally equipped to manage the stress and burnout that can come from assisting a loved one who is aging or ill.
The strain of caregiving can be a rewarding experience, but it also involves many difficult stressors. It’s not uncommon for familial caregivers to experience negative psychological, behavioral and physiological effects in their daily lives and on their personal health. And when you’re burnt out, it’s tough to do anything, never mind provide your loved one with the care they need. If you’re the primary caregiver for an aging family member and are feeling the effects of caregiver burnout, now might be the time to consider a retirement home or long-term care facility for your loved one. You don’t have to take on the responsibilities of caregiving alone. Help is waiting for you at Sharon Village Care Homes.
The Damaging Effects of Caregiver Burnout
Informal caregivers are expected to deal with a lot of stressors: changes in the family dynamic, household disruptions, financial burdens and emotional baggage, to name just a few. Not surprisingly, these factors are often too much for one person to bear.
Like other forms of burnout, caregiver stress can have chronic, long-term effects on your health and emotions. Without adequate help and professional support, the stress of caregiving can manifest itself in a wide range of physical and emotional problems. Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout is the first step to identifying the problem and ensuring that both you and your aging loved one are receiving the proper level of care.
Am I Suffering from Caregiver Stress?
Pay close attention to the impact that caregiving is having on your emotions, health and daily interactions. If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms of caregiver stress, it might be time to contact a senior care professional at Sharon Village Care Homes for advice and long-term care assistance.
- Anxiety, depression and unexplainable bouts of irritability
- Difficulty sleeping and/or constantly feeling tired and run down
- Trouble concentrating and listlessness
- Neglecting relationships and/or cutting back on leisure activities
- Increased feelings of resentment towards the individual for whom you are caring
If the stress of caregiving is left untreated, it can quickly snowball into full-on burnout. Common signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout include an increased susceptibility to colds and flus, exhaustion, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of self and low energy levels. At this point, you’re no longer capable of caring for an aging family member. You need to focus on your own mental and physical health, leaving the care of your family member to a compassionate and caring long-term senior care professional.
Asking For Help
There’s no shame in asking for assistance when it comes to administering care to an aging or ill loved one. At Sharon Village Care Homes, our long-term care and retirement home staff members understand the emotional, financial and physical difficulties that accompany this type of constant assistance. Taking care of your self is the first step to taking care of a loved one. So speak up, spread the responsibility and don’t be afraid to relinquish some of the control. Contact Sharon Village Care Homes to learn more about the senior care facilities located in your community.
If you’re not careful, the stress of caregiving can leave you feeling isolated and depressed. This can end up hurting both you and the person you’re caring for. At the end of the day, caregivers need care too. Lessen your burden and contact Sharon Village Care Homes today to learn more about the benefits of professional long-term care and our retirement facilities.
