Caregiver crisis avoidance series: Recognizing signs and triggers to avoid burnout

By: The Gift of Caring

If you are taking care of an aging parent or family member, it is likely you have experienced the effects of caregiver stress; at the Gift of Caring we approach the care of our aging loved ones from a holistic approach and know that caregiver physical, mental and emotional wellness is paramount to the wellness of those we care for, that’s why today we launch a series of blogs focusing on avoiding being in crisis mode; over the next few weeks we will be sharing topics that can help us design our crisis avoidance plan so we can continue to provide that loving care to our aging loved ones, and enjoy our time with them.  

One of the silent perils of being a family caregiver is stress: it can quietly seep in, without noticing it, in between a doctor’s appointment and setting up our loved one’s meds. It is said that “It is not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.” We have made the commitment to be there for our loved ones, whether we are actually providing hands-on care or caregiving at a distance, it can be equally stressful and, if not handled correctly, it can lead to caregiver burnout. 

Last year, we were called in to assist a family who was in a dire situation, Dan, suffered from advanced dementia, Sandy, his wife, had been his primary caregiver since his diagnosis 5 years prior and cared for him at home; where she also cared for their son, Bob, who had a developmental disability that prevented him from caring for himself, and needed hands-on assistance. Sandy was a fantastic caregiver, she was loving and never skipped a beat, but neglected her own physical and emotional health for 5 years, this resulted in hospitalization as a result of caregiver burnout and other health issues. Sadly, Sandy’s health took a turn for the worse, and was eventually discharged but was no longer able to care for Dan and Bob. It was heartbreaking to see Sandy, Dan and Bob be in crisis; we were eventually able to move Dan into a memory care community, and Bob into a group home where they had the appropriate training and skills to care for him. I'm happy to report that all 3 are doing well and thriving! And Sandy has learned to take time for herself and her health.

Switching roles- seeing your aging parent in a vulnerable situation and needing care, when they were once the ones caring for you can be difficult for the caregiver; together with other triggers like the financial pressure of caring for your loved one, accruing doctor’s bills, and taking over our loved one’s finances, as well as our own, added to the fact that many caregivers take a break from work of reduce to part-time, which also can lead to financial difficulties. 

Isolation and change of lifestyle- If you are a hands-on caregiver, you may also find yourself feeling isolated from the rest of the world, and may neglect your emotional and physical health, many caregivers who have been physically active take on a sedentary lifestyle which can add to the stress and removes any stress relief activities. 

Demands of Constant Care- Many caregivers find themselves giving round-the-clock care, or spending virtually every free moment attending to the needs of their loved one. Others find that their responsibilities are less constant, but never know if they’ll be needed at one particular moment or the next, so they feel like they need to be constantly available. The feeling of being "always on duty" can take a heavy toll on a caregiver.

Let’s take a look at some signs of caregiver stress and burnout:

• Feeling irritable and out of control
• Resenting the person you’re caring for
• Overeating or under eating
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Chronic fatigue
• Excessive use of drugs, alcohol or sugary foods 
• Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions 
• Withdrawing from people, saying no to normal activities you did regularly 
• Feeling hopeless and feeling like there is no “light at the end of the tunnel” 
• You catch every cold or flu going around 
• You have trouble relaxing
• You’re exhausted, even after sleeping or taking a break

If you answered yes to any of these signs, then you may be burdened with caregiver stress, and it’s time to take action!  Getting yourself past the stressful situation involves adjustments to one's attitude, your health, and may even require you to reach out to others, asking and most importantly, accepting help from others.  

Remind yourself to focus on what You can control and look for the most positive aspects of the job you’re doing.

Exercise, diet, and sleep are surefire stress relievers. Aim for 30 minutes of fitness and eight hours of sleep each day to boost energy levels. Make good food choices, too, to nourish the body. If need be, reach out to other family members or friends and schedule a time for them to visit with your loved one while you just rest and sleep. Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes of accidents, at home, on the road, and at work.   

Reach out: Having support from other caregivers or management is invaluable. Sharing troubles and finding communities of people who are going through similar experiences often help caregivers find solutions and empowerment to move past stressful situations. 

Get Organized! Many times, just having a place to keep all of the important information for quick access and reference can be an effective technique to reduce stress, A family caregiver planner can be a good resource for you. 

Keep learning: Gain the skills and knowledge to know how to deal with the challenge that lie ahead. 

Keep tuned for next week’s blog on our Caregiver Crisis Avoidance Series: Stress breakers you can do in 5, 15, 60, and 120 mins.