6 Reasons Caregivers Need to Prevent Burnout

November 8, 2022

There are many things to appreciate about caring for a senior loved one. That being said, it can be a bit overwhelming to provide regular care for an aging adult. If you continue to feel stress and emotional strain related to the type of care you need to provide, eventually, you can experience caregiver burnout. Below, we discuss six reasons it's best to avoid caregiver burnout and what you can do about it.

1. Your Mental Health Can Be Affected

If you don't take steps to avoid burnout as a caregiver, you may end up experiencing depression and other mental health issues. This could make it difficult or even impossible to provide care for your loved one or even enjoy time with him or her.If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving responsibilities, you don’t have to handle everything on your own. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted provider of respite care. Edmonton, AB, families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Butterfly Dreams Respite Care is here to help.

2. Your Loved One Can Also Be Impacted

When burnout is an issue, it can affect everyone, including your senior loved one. For instance, you may no longer have patience if your loved one has outbursts or gets confused if he or she has dementia. This isn't good for you or the family member you're caring for on a regular basis.

3. You May Become Resentful

If you're not setting personal boundaries with your loved one, burnout could become an issue. This could eventually cause you to be resentful, leading to a severe strain in your relationship with your loved one. Family situations like this can be difficult for everyone, so it's better to take steps to avoid burnout before your relationship with your loved one is affected. Possibilities include: • Working with a respite care facility • Getting some help from other family members • Setting boundaries so you don't feel like you're constantly on call • Knowing when to say no in a polite way if it's not something that's an essential care need • Making arrangements for local senior ride services and similar services that may be available When you need a break from your caregiving duties, Butterfly Dreams Respite Care is the Edmonton respite home you can rely on to meet your loved one’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of the activities of daily living.

4. Your Own Personal Relationships Can Be Affected

Burnout doesn't only affect your loved one. If you're burned out as a caregiver, the stress and strain can carry over to your own household. This might lead to marital difficulties or issues with how you interact with your children.

5. You Can Feel Like You're All Alone

Some caregivers believe they have to be the ones to provide care at all times. If this applies to you, providing care like this could take a toll on you and make you feel like you're all alone. Ultimately, this isn't good for your own mental health. This is more likely to be an issue if your loved one has dementia and isn’t able to clearly communicate with you.

6. You May Neglect Your Own HealthCare Needs

If you're burned out as a caregiver, you might not be as diligent about getting regular exercise and keeping up with your own doctor’s appointments. This isn't good for you as far as your physical well-being goes. With respite care, you can take time to go for walks and see the doctor on a regular basis. Being a healthier caregiver also makes it easier to manage some of the physical demands of senior care, such as providing assistance with getting into chairs or vehicles or doing household chores.Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is Edmonton respite care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break. Butterfly Dreams Respite Care will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at 587-800-4822 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.