When caregivers do too much for too long, they often experience burnout, a state of exhaustion that can manifest in a myriad of ways. Caregivers may feel physically, emotionally, or mentally worn out and unable to manage their daily duties. Take a look at some of the most common signs of caregiver burnout.
1. Constant Feelings of Worry
If your senior loved one has a serious medical condition, worrying about his or her welfare is normal. However, sometimes feelings of worry start to override logic. In the event you feel like you can’t escape your worries, you may be experiencing caregiver burnout. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, you may need to focus on your mental health via therapy, self-care, or alternative methods.
Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Barrie home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
2. Poor Concentration
When facing stressful situations, caregivers may be unable to focus on simple tasks or have difficulty with short-term memory. Poor concentration is a common complaint among caregivers experiencing burnout. If you’re not in an optimal mental, emotional, and physical state, handling the caregiving tasks could leave you feeling frazzled.
3. Irregular Sleep Habits
Many caregivers get too little sleep mostly because they are too anxious to fall asleep. Caregivers may also have difficulty maintaining healthy sleep habits, which can wreak havoc on the sleep cycle. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep is essential for caregivers, as it gives the body the chance to rest and restore itself. To optimize sleep, try to implement consistent sleep habits. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, and create a comfortable environment that helps you fall asleep quickly.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Barrie families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
6. Unhealthy Addictions
When caregivers start to feel overwhelmed, they sometimes develop unhealthy addictions such as binge eating, excessive alcohol consumption, and overuse of sleep medications. When you’re feeling anxious, it can be difficult to monitor your own behavior. If you notice an increasing dependency on unhealthy substances or behaviors, try to step back, pause, and find healthier emotional outlets.
5. Changes in Mood
If you’re nearing burnout, you may feel irritable, hopeless, and sad, lose interest in favorite activities, or withdraw from friends and family members. Many of these mood changes are also associated with depression. In the event you’re developing an emotional health issue, don’t hesitate to seek treatment from a professional.
6. Decrease in Immune Health
Caregivers who work too much and sleep too little rarely spend enough time tending to their own health, which compromises their immune system and leaves them more susceptible to illness. If you’re getting sick more often, it’s a sign you need to focus on your health.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to reduce your caregiving burden and focus on your own health. If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior home care, Barrie Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. To create a customized in-home care plan for your elderly parent, give us a call at 647-970-3803 today.