What Are the Primary Reasons Family Caregivers Get Burned Out?

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Common Reasons Family Caregivers Get Burned Out in Winnipeg, MB

Caregiver burnout generates symptoms that make it difficult to continue in your role. Exhaustion, irritability, and frustration are all signs that you’re under an intense amount of stress. All caregivers are susceptible to burnout, but there are known risk factors that can affect who may develop these symptoms sooner.

Overlooking Your Health Needs

In survival scenarios, you’ll often hear instructors tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before you help anyone else. This is because you’re not able to help once your vital signs wane. This is also true of caregiving. You need to be in top physical and mental health to be able to withstand the stresses of your role. Incorporate time into your schedule to go to health checkups and receive mental health services so you don’t start to lose your stamina.

Raising Children at the Same Time

Having children at home means you’re essentially adding an entire new person’s care needs to your list of responsibilities. You might feel guilty for not accomplishing enough at the end of the day, or you may worry about the effects on your kids from your spending so much time with someone else. It may be difficult, but try to focus on what you accomplish so those feelings of guilt are less likely to creep in.

Having an Unsupportive Partner

In an ideal world, every caregiver would be surrounded by people who are completely supportive and understanding. However, people are human, which means your spouse may sometimes feel left out or even ignored. Your partner may feel resentful about your taking on so much at once. Keep in mind that some of what your partner says might be out of concern for your wellbeing. For instance, it might be true that you need assistance. If so, a professional caregiver can help you feel supported and leave you with more time to nurture your other relationships. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality elderly home care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.

Becoming Isolated from Others

Social isolation is a real concern for caregivers. You might be spending hours making sure your loved one has someone to talk to each day, but you also need to think about your own need for social interaction. Even a few hours a week talking to someone else can help you maintain mental clarity and feel happier. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Winnipeg, MB, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’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 tasks in and outside the home.

Caregiving for a High Number of Hours 

Most people wouldn’t think of putting in more than 8 to 12 hours at work, but caregivers do far more than that all the time. Once your caregiver duties are extending to around the clock, you need to seek assistance. Skimping on sleep and working more hours a day than you get to rest can quickly lead to burnout.

Caring for a Loved One with Dementia

Every caregiver faces challenges, and dementia care involves many stressors that can increase the risk of burnout. For instance, you may be so terrified of your loved one wandering that you don’t sleep well at night. You may also be handling your parent’s agitation and physical behaviors that leave you feeling exhausted and stressed out. You can find home caregivers who are specially trained in dementia care services to serve as allies for helping you feel safe and confident each day.  Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Winnipeg Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (204) 489-6000 today.

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