Caregivers often assume a great deal of responsibility. They commonly raise families, manage households, and hold down jobs in addition to caring for their elderly loved ones. If caregivers are not careful about their health and wellbeing, they can become overwhelmed and experience burnout. Take a look at some of the most common causes of caregiver burnout.
1. Emotional Exhaustion
Watching your senior loved one’s health decrease may invoke a sense of sadness and loss, and realizing his or her health may not get better could take an emotional toll. Learn as much as possible about your loved one’s medical conditions and the expected outcome.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Barrie Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Physical Weariness
Your loved one may have limited mobility and require assistance with position changes, mobility, personal care, and household chores. Over time, helping your loved one with physical tasks could make you exhausted and susceptible to illnesses. Resist the urge to take on more tasks than you can manage. Evaluate the situation and consider professional in-home care, if necessary.
3. Increased Stress
When you take on too many responsibilities, you open yourself up to stress. The emotional and physical demands of your daily life may become too much, and you might feel like you are losing control. Take time each day to rest and recover. Sometimes engaging in a physical activity can relieve tension and promote relaxation.
4. Lack of Self-Care
To keep up with all the demands of caregiving, make sure you take care of yourself. Following a healthy diet and consuming sufficient calories are vital for the mind and body to function at their best. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is also necessary for the body to completely relax and make necessary repairs. Engaging in certain amount of physical activity can keep your body physically fit.
It is important to take a break from your caregiving duties to focus on your own health and wellbeing. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Barrie respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
5. Social Isolation
Some caregivers live with their elderly loved ones 24 hours a day and provide assistance as needed. They may only leave the home to run errands, and they do not have the time to maintain a social life. Spending time with other family members and friends is essential for emotional and mental health. Set aside some time every week or two to go out with friends and enjoy shopping, a movie, or another activity.
6. No Assistance or Support Available
It is not unusual for caregivers to assume all the care tasks and avoid asking for help. Over time, the pressure and stress involved with caregiving and managing other responsibilities can lead to burnout. You should have a network of support to allow for time off when needed or to share concerns.
Caring for a senior loved one can be an overwhelming task, especially when the caregiving duties are managed alone. Families who need additional assistance caring for an elderly loved one should consider hiring a professional elderly caregiver. Barrie, Ontario, seniors and their families trust in Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality in-home care on an as-needed basis. Our caregivers take pride in helping seniors remain healthy while promoting their quality of life. If your senior loved one needs high-quality in-home care, call us at 647-970-3803 today.