Do you suffer from

Caregiver Burnout?

By Kristi Martin

Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services

 

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, over 50 million people provide care for a chronically ill, disabled and/or aged friend or family member each year. A common problem associated with caring for an individual in these circumstances is caregiver burnout.

 

If undetected, caregiver burnout can have a major effect on you as the caregiver and the person you are caring for.

 

Caregiver burnout occurs when a caregiver becomes physically and emotionally drained to the point that they may experience fatigue, anxiety, stress and depression. Additional signs of caregiver burnout include difficulty sleeping, frequent mood swings, change in eating habits, an increase in the use of stimulants or alcohol, withdrawal from and enjoyment of normal activities, isolation from family and friends and a lack of concentration.

 

Day After Day, Hour After Hour

One caregiver, Mike Broussard, who provided care for his elderly father until his death said “When you’re the only one, day after day, hour after hour, taking care of someone, it gets very depressing. You feel like you have to put everything on hold in your life to take care of their needs.” Over time, the care giver environment can become one of guilt and isolation.

We have all heard the old adage that you can’t take care of someone else until you take care of yourself. This is very true. Taking care of yourself and knowing the right community resources to get help for you and your loved one can reduce the feelings of being overwhelmed.   Getting a weekly massage, regular exercise, rest and maintaining a healthy diet are simple ways to reduce some of the symptoms of burnout.

Establish a few minutes of quiet time a day for meditation or prayer.   Sometimes just removing yourself from the situation for a few moments can make all the difference. Whether you want to or not, stay connected with family members and friends.   It’s important to find someone you trust, such as a friend, co-worker or neighbor to talk with about your feelings and frustrations with your caregiver duties.

 

Ask for Help

If you are feeling overwhelmed, never be afraid to ask for help. While caring for a loved one is a caring and compassionate thing, you can’t always do it alone.

 

Finding the right community resources can help, but knowing where to look for help can be daunting. “Sometimes people feel trapped. They just don’t know what’s out there” said Broussard. He reported that his family spent hours searching the internet for options.

 

If you are caring for an elderly or disabled loved one, contact LA Answers at 800-280-0908 for a free list of resources and programs in this area.   You can also contact the Department of Health and Hospitals, www.dhh.louisiana.gov for an additional list of services.

 

Whether you decide to sign up for a State or local program for services or pay privately, it is important to find a reputable company with dependable, trained and trustworthy personal care workers. Find out how long the agency has been in business, its training policy for its workers, and whether they are licensed and bonded.  

 

Going through an established agency, such as Gulf Coast In Home Care that provides private pay services gives you an extra assurance that you are getting a qualified employee. As Mr. Broussard stated “If someone can come in to help, even just for a few hours, it lifts your spirits a lot.   It allows you to go on for a little while longer.”