How Fatigue And Frustration Can Impact Caregiving
It can be a joy and a privilege to care for an aging family member, providing them assistance with daily tasks. You have the opportunity to get to know them better and spend precious time with them every day. But this can be very taxing and stressful for you if you don’t have a good support system or the ability to take time for yourself. This is when a senior caregiver is most likely to experience burnout.
Did you know half of adult caregivers say it’s moderately or very difficult to balance work and caregiving?
When you’re feeling burnt out it is easy to assume that the feeling is only temporary but, for many people that simply isn’t the case. At Comfort Keepers Home Care serving Cleona, PA, and the surrounding area, we know that you want to provide the best care you can for your loved one, which is why we put together a list of common burnout symptoms along with healthy coping mechanisms to try.
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How Can I Tell If I’m Experiencing Caregiver Burnout?
While there are many symptoms that can be attributed to burnout, two that you’ll likely notice first as a senior caregiver are fatigue and irritability. You may also begin to dread and anxiety when caring for your loved one or even guilt for having those feelings at all.
Other signs that you are experiencing burnout could include:
Withdrawal from friends, family, and other loved ones
Getting sick more often
Loss of interest in activities which you previously enjoyed
As hard as it can be to acknowledge these feelings, it is incredibly important you do so sooner rather than later. If you don’t take care of yourself and mental health, these feelings can become worse and even potentially affect how you care for your loved one. Luckily, there is no shortage of healthy coping mechanisms you can try!
What Can I Try To Cope With Feeling Burnt Out?
There are so many ways that you can cope with stress in a healthy way as a senior caregiver but, how do you find the one that works best for you? Well, it may take a little trial and error. For example, there are many people that find that learning more about a loved one’s ailments helps them remain empathetic and provide the best care they can, while others find that exercising helps burn off any lingering frustrations from their day. It all depends on you and what you enjoy!
Here are a few common coping methods:
Ask family/friends for help: Enlist the help of family members when you are feeling down or burnt out. This will give you time to relax and help your family better understand your needs as well as that of your senior loved one. Be sure to express gratitude, even a few dollars, a gift card, or an evening at a restaurant go a long way towards showing that you appreciate the help.
Listen to your body: If your body is tired, let yourself rest. It may be a good idea to take a vacation if you can. Even a night away from your responsibilities can do wonders for you!
Maintain your social life: Maintaining an active social life as a senior caregiver can be difficult, but it is rewarding. Make time to call or text just to check-in and schedule time together when it’s available.
What If I Need A Little Extra Time For Myself?
So, now you know more about caregiver burnout and have a few healthy coping ideas but, what if you’re still feeling overburdened? You can call Comfort Keepers Home Care serving Cleona, PA, and the surrounding area to help! We offer flexible care plans, including respite care for primary caregivers, so you can take some time for yourself without worrying about your loved one. Whether you need a few hours a week or would simply like a short vacation, a Comfort Keepers caregiver will be there for your loved one.
If you’d like to learn more simple ways you can reduce the stresses of being a senior caregiver, our available care services, including respite care, or if you’re ready to schedule your free in home consultation, please contact us online anytime or call us at (717) 954-0110.
