Unpaid family caregivers face many challenges in their role providing physical and emotional support to loved ones due to dementia, physical disabilities, age-related conditions, or other underlying medical or psychiatric conditions. While caregiving is undoubtedly a labor of love, the time and care demands can become both physically and mentally taxing over time for caregivers. A survey from Cleveland Clinic and Parade Media revealed 36% of caregivers experience depression and anxiety. While balancing their responsibilities, many caregivers can begin to neglect their own needs, negatively affecting their own well-being and the quality of care provided to their loved one. Identifying the signs of emotional and physical burnout, addressing them, and offering support, can make a profound difference in the lives of caregivers facing burnout.
Recognizing Caregiver Burnout
Before burnout can be addressed, one must first be able to identify the warning signs. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion that occurs when extensive time and energy are devoted to managing a task without reprieve–in this case, the health and safety of another person. If left unaddressed, high levels of stress can wreak havoc on both your physical and mental health. This strain can manifest itself in a variety of ways, such as increased feelings of anxiety, fatigue, body aches, irritability, brain fog, and apathy–impacting not only the person feeling these things but the person in their care as well. Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, in particular, indicate higher levels of stress and burden compared to other non-dementia caregivers due to the intensity of care provided for those with dementia.
Ways to Prevent Caregiver Burnout
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for burnout, but coming up with a sustainable (and realistic) strategy for addressing needs is crucial to preventing further burnout. Due to busy schedules and care demands, caregivers are less likely to prioritize preventive health services or practicing self-care. In fact, Cleveland Clinic Nevada and Parade Media survey found that 56% of caregivers say it’s not realistic for them to take a day off for their emotional and mental health, although 70% agree they do in fact need it. Reminding the caregiver in your life to be honest about the way they are feeling with themselves to properly address the situation, and care for themselves is not a luxury but a necessity.
- Recognizing and validating these feelings – Encourage the caregiver in your life to make time for self-reflection and honestly assess how they are feeling. Providing them with the space to recognize potential feelings of burnout and discuss that in a safe space without judgement can make a huge difference.
- Establishing a solid routine – Help them establish a consistent and realistic routine that includes maintaining proper eating habits, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated throughout their day, and finding time for exercise or physical movement. Building up these small habits can create a solid foundation, allowing for the development of a long-lasting strategy that ensures basic needs are being met. The key is to move from surviving to thriving in their caregiver role.
- Leveraging local resources – In Nevada, caregivers can access invaluable support through spaces like the Cleveland Clinic Nevada education and support programs and the Nevada Care Connection Caregiver forum. Both programs offer an open, judgement-free space for caregivers to feel connected and validated by other caregivers, try out new caregiver tools and skills, and gain insight on how to balance their needs and that of their loved ones.
Giving Back to Caregivers
Caregivers might struggle to acknowledge that outside help may be beneficial. While certain times of the year (e.g., holidays) can be particularly stressful, meaningful gestures of support are impactful year-round. Simple acts of kindness and reassurance can provide much-needed comfort and cheer to the caregiver in your life, and these gestures can take on many forms:
- Prioritizing solid self-care practices – Self-care can often be misconstrued as self-indulgence, however the core of the idea is focused on taking care of yourself, which can range from scheduling regular doctor’s appointments, taking 20 minutes of alone time, doing something creative, or going out on a run. Finding an activity, or lack of activity, that brings you peace is key!
- Finding respite – Respite care is a short-term break from your usual routine as a primary caregiver. Find respite care through ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, it is extremely beneficial for a primary caregiver as it gives them a break to focus on their own wellbeing.
- Helping out at home – Simple tasks such as performing routine chores, assisting with repairs, providing rides to medical appointments, keeping the home stocked with groceries, can lighten the weight on a caregiver’s shoulders. If you are unable to take some of these tasks on yourself, consider giving a gift certificate for a house cleaning service or arranging for pre-made meal kits to be delivered.
Caregiving is a 24/7 job that requires a lot of emotional and physical strength. The strain it can place on a person’s emotional, physical, and financial well-being can take a major toll if left unchecked. Proper acknowledgment of these challenges, prioritization of self-care, and accessing resources and assistance are all powerful tools in which to prevent burnout. Each of us has the power to uplift the caregivers in our lives and ensure that they receive the support they need and deserve. Every day offers a new opportunity to show your appreciation for those selfless individuals and make a meaningful difference in their life.
