Whether it is a parent, child, or other family member, there is no limit to your love and the sacrifice you're willing to make to care for your loved one. However, as superhuman as you might believe you are, you do have limits. Caregiver burnout is a rarely talked about concern that affects many people who tirelessly care for others. Understanding this condition and learning how to work through it is critical.
What Is Caregiver Burnout?
As its name suggests, this concern arises when an individual who is providing long-term care to someone else becomes overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out overall. Long-term care requires a great deal of effort, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Some people give their all without leaving anything for themselves.
While this can surface in a number of different ways, decreased energy, difficulty relaxing, self-neglect, loss of enjoyment from previously enjoyable activities, and a feeling of hopelessness are often signs that an individual has reached the point of a burnout and is need of serious help and intervention.
Risk Factors
Feeling less energized isn't the only issue that comes along with caregiver burnout. A lack of energy generally has a domino effect on other aspects of the individual's life, particularly their health. Someone dealing with this issue may be less apt to take care of their own health causing them to miss taking important medications, eat unhealthy foods, and not exercise.
These instances can create more concerns that only put your own health in jeopardy and limit the level of care you can provide to your loved one. Moving forward from this burnout is critical.
Moving Forward
If you or someone close to you is struggling with burnout, it's time to get help. The responsibility of caring for your loved one is not a task you are required to tackle on your own, and getting help with care doesn't lessen your love.
Hiring a home health service provider to come in and assist you with daily tasks can help ensure you have the time you need to reset and regain your energy. Even if you don't need around-the-clock care, a health aide can come in based on your schedule to help you.
Make sure you are taking action to avoid and move past caregiver burnout. Remember, your loved one needs your care and support, so make sure you're rested enough to be there by getting the help you need.
Share10 January 2017
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