According to the Cleveland Clinic, a leading non-profit academic medical center, caregiver burnout can be defined as “a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.” Like any type of professional burnout, caregiver burnout needs to be addressed as soon as it’s recognized for the well-being of the caregiver and the care recipient.
Unfortunately, many family caregivers don’t recognize that caregiver burnout is creeping up on them or has already arrived. They’re often so busy taking care of others that they haven’t taken time to care for themselves.
How can you tell that you’re on the verge of experiencing caregiver burnout or have already reached that point? Here are four telltale signs that it’s time to let someone step in and help with respite care.
Impatience
Caregivers generally have a great deal of patience. They spend large amounts of their time waiting for their career to take an hour or more to finish their meal, slowly brush their teeth, or struggle getting dressed. If you feel that your patience has worn thin to the point where you’re becoming irritable or snapping at your loved one, it might be time for a break.
Depression
Initially, caring for a loved one promises to be a fulfilling and extraordinarily positive experience. However, over time, grief from seeing a loved one’s physical or mental health decline or feeling a growing resentment over feelings of having put their own life on hold can lead to the development of depression for a caregiver.
Loneliness
Caregivers often can become lonely. Feelings of isolation can set in if you’ve lost close contact with good friends and are spending less time with other family members. Too much time alone and not having the energy to reach out to others despite feeling lonely is also a sign of caregiver exhaustion.
Mistakes
While every caregiver makes mistakes occasionally, repeatedly mixing up doctor’s or lab work appointments, making medication mistakes, or running out of supplies is a red flag that the level of care you’re providing is suffering and you need to take a break.
Respite Care Is the Solution
If you need help caring for your loved one and want them to age comfortably at home, the solution to caregiver burnout is respite care. Having someone help you with your caregiving responsibilities on a part or full-time basis alleviates caregiver burnout and ensures your loved one is getting the quality care they need.
Respite care allows you to rest and recharge your batteries, increase your social engagement with friends and family, and have time to maintain your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It also can improve or help maintain a healthy, positive relationship with the loved one you’re caring for.
Dependable Senior Care Steps In When You Need Us
You can have complete confidence in the professionals at Dependable Senior Care. Our experienced and dedicated caregivers, home health aides, personal care aides, and nurse’s assistants go through a careful hiring process, including background and reference checks, work history verification, and confirmation that all licenses and certifications are current.
Contact Dependable Senior Care today for respite care services you can rely on. We look forward to helping you and your loved one stay healthy and happy.