Being a caregiver isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a tough job that can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Caregivers experiencing burnout may feel especially stressed. Higher levels of stress can have a lasting impact on health, such as high blood pressure and increased levels of blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes.
What Causes Caregiver Burnout?
There are several factors that can contribute to caregiver burnout, such as:
-Balancing Demands:
Caregivers typically have to balance the needs of their aging relative against other parts of their life, like work, children, partners, and themselves.
-Loss of Control:
Life as a caregiver can sometimes feel out of control. Part of it can be a lack of money because they aren’t able to work as much due to caregiver duties. They may also feel a loss of control because of uncertainty about their skills as a caregiver.
-Changes in Role:
Many caregivers are adult children caring for aging parents. The shift to taking care of someone who you once relied on for care can be confusing and difficult.
-Demands:
Other family members and the older adult may make unreasonable demands, expecting you to do more than you can possibly do.
-Expectations:
You may have unrealistic expectations about what you can accomplish as a caregiver and the impact that your care will have on the senior’s health.
What Can Be Done to Avoid Caregiver Burnout?
There are many ways you can avoid suffering from caregiver burnout. Some ways to prevent it are:
-Gather Knowledge:
Learning more about the older adult’s condition and building your skills as a caregiver can make you feel more confident and more in control.
-Develop a Routine:
Having a regular order to each day can make life easier for you and more predictable for the older adult. It can help you to stay organized and offer the senior the comfort of knowing what comes next, which can be especially useful in caring for those with dementia.
-Foster Independence:
Rather than doing everything for your aging relative, encourage them to be as independent as possible. Look for ways to alter tasks so that they can still be performed by the senior independently. For example, if standing at the counter to help prepare meals is too difficult for the older adult, let them sit at the table to peel or cut vegetables.
-Ask for Help:
Ask friends and family members to help with some of the caregiver duties. Some people may be willing to do things like making meals, doing the grocery shopping, or driving the older adult to appointments. You may even be able to find someone willing to spend a few hours with the older adult while you take a break.
Another way to avoid caregiver burnout is by hiring Home Care to take on some of the hours spent with the older adult. Home Care can make sure the senior is safe and comfortable while you take the time to relax, work, or spend time with friends and family.
If you, or an aging loved-one, are considering hiring a Caregiver in Oceanside, CA, or the Surrounding San Diego Area, please contact the caring staff at GoldenCare today. Call us at (760) 828-5201 today.
Source:
https://Aarp.org
Source:
https://Healthinaging.org
Source:
https://Webmd.com
