Are you the sole caregiver of an older loved one? Caregivers often invest more than their time and energy into caring for seniors. Caregiving can be demanding physically, mentally, emotionally, and even financially, leading to stress and ultimately burnout. If you are the sole caregiver of a senior, it’s important to remember to care for yourself, too. Watch for these signs of caregiver burnout and learn how to prevent burnout before it occurs.
Feeling emotionally or physically exhausted
Are you feeling drained and can’t seem to get enough sleep? You may be experiencing a sign of caregiver burnout. It can be difficult to relax and prioritize your own needs when much of your energy is focused on caring for a loved one. When you lose sleep, your mood, appetite, energy, and ability to handle stress are affected, making it difficult to care for yourself, let alone provide quality care for a loved one.
Getting sick more often
Another symptom of caregiver burnout involves experiencing increased rates of physical ailments as a result of the time and energy spent taking care of a loved one. Along with missing sleep, caregivers can also suffer from a diminished immune response. This all adds up to poorer overall health, and it’s difficult to care for an older loved one when you are not healthy yourself. To avoid the risk of sickness and exhaustion, it may be time to consider seeking extra help from professional senior caregivers in a retirement community.
Withdrawing from friends, family, and other loved ones
Caregivers are often so preoccupied with caring for their loved ones that they forget to maintain their other relationships. Caregivers may begin to experience role confusion, finding it difficult to separate their role as caregiver from their actual role as a spouse, child, or friend. If this sounds like you, consider looking for additional help to avoid the risk of burnout. Assisted living is a great solution for seniors who may need extra help with daily activities. In assisted living facilities, seniors have access to 24-hour nursing staff, emergency alert systems, and housekeeping and dining services, providing a great solution to the daily stress of homeownership.
If you want to help prevent caregiver burnout, there are plenty of resources to turn to. Moving your senior loved one to an assisted living facility can be beneficial for both you and your loved one. You can have a better peace of mind knowing that your loved one has access to the right level of care, and you can avoid the potential for caregiver burnout.
