Caring for a loved one is a rewarding experience. The task can be challenging, but can also bring you closer to the person and provide priceless moments you’ll always treasure. Many caregivers provide both physical and emotional help. Over time, those tasks can take their toll and cause a common effect known as burnout. It’s important to recognize and address the symptoms, or they can have a longer-term impact on your wellbeing. Here's what you need to know.

What Are the Signs of Caregiver Burnout?

It’s common for caregivers to experience overall fatigue that makes it difficult to perform their everyday activities. This can be mistaken for general tiredness at first, but before long, those feelings of exhaustion become the norm. You may also have trouble falling asleep, or you might sleep more than usual. 

Because there are so many demands involved in caregiving, you may lose focus on the things that were once most important to you. This can lead you to neglect everything from physical tasks, like showering regularly, to emotional tasks, like connecting with friends on a regular basis. 

What Are the Effects of Burnout?

Even those who feel emotionally equipped to be caregivers may experience the physical and emotional effects of the responsibility. It can take its toll on the body, causing aches and pains to develop if there are physical demands associated with what you do. For example, you might help a loved one with their toileting and showering needs. This can be hard on your own body if you do it every day. 

You may also develop feelings of anxiety, a normal effect that may stem from uncertainty or fear of the future. It’s not unusual for caregivers to feel hopeless or depressed, either. The fatigue can overwhelm both your body and your mind, making it difficult to meet your caregiving needs with energy.

How Can You Prevent Burnout?

Make burnout prevention a key part of that path, so you can navigate it with positivity, strength, and good health. Turn to others for help, whether it’s a family member, a neighbor, or a home health care agency. Professionals can take over your duties, providing everything from help with meals and medication to bathing and dressing. 

This will provide you with valuable respite so you can focus on things you need to do. Use this time to go for a walk, enjoy a cup of tea, meet up with a friend, or simply check some items off your to-do list. The more you fill up your own proverbial cup, the more you’ll have to give to your loved one when you’re caring for them. Remember that you aren’t alone, either. There are many resources for those who provide care, including therapists who can help you navigate your feelings and develop coping methods. 
 

If you or a loved one need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) which includes meal preparation, light housekeeping, toileting and bathing, trust the professionals at Deer Valley Home Health Services in St. Louis, MO. There’s also the option of arranging for private duty nurse visits if you do not qualify for Medicaid or your loved one doesn’t require a facility. Call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your specific needs, or visit them online to learn more about their services.