Caregiving is a rewarding experience, and it gives you time to bond with your aging parent. However, the responsibility may also be emotionally, mentally, and physically draining. To prevent your body and mind from becoming exhausted, you need to put your needs first and make time to do things that bring you joy. Here are some of the most common signs of caregiver burnout and a few ways to address each of them.
Lack of Energy
When you take on too much, your body loses energy, making it difficult to complete daily activities. The less energy your body has, the higher your risk of physical injuries, accidents, and ailments could be.
To boost your energy levels, consider taking a break from your caregiving duties to focus on your health. You may seek help from family members or hire a professional caregiver to look after your loved one.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide home care. Columbus families who want to prevent burnout may turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers may assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. For those needing more extensive support, Live In Care Columbus services are also available to provide round-the-clock care and peace of mind.
Weight Gain
Working a full-time job and being a family caregiver may cut down on your ability to eat healthy and stay active. As a result, your weight could increase significantly.
Weight gain is a top sign of caregiver burnout, but it may be addressed by simplifying the self-care process. For example, when preparing your loved one’s meals for the week, include some healthy options for yourself. You should also work out a few days each week, ideally for 30 to 60 minutes per day.
Disrupted Sleep
Seniors often have difficulty sleeping during the night, which also disrupts the sleeping patterns of their caregivers. When family caregivers aren’t able to sleep, they become exhausted.
Help your loved one sleep better at night by creating a bedtime routine that relaxes his or her mind and body. If your loved one’s sleeping habits get better, so could yours.
Excessive Drinking
What starts out as one glass of wine per day could turn into excessive drinking in the future. The chemicals in alcohol may help caregivers temporarily manage the negative emotions that accompany caregiving. However, these feelings are likely to re-emerge with time, and you could pick up a dangerous addiction.
To prevent excessive drinking, find fun habits to help you address the emotional side of caregiving. Some options include dancing, taking art classes, listening to music, and exercising.
One of the best ways to stave off the negative emotions that result from caregiving is to delegate your duties to a professional caregiver. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an aging loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Assisting Hands Home Care may help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Feelings of Resentment
Family caregivers are often thrown into the role without a choice or any prior experience. Giving up your free time and taking on such a serious role could lead to feelings of resentment.
To prevent bitterness from building up, set boundaries and learn how to say no. Remember you’re not alone and there are resources available for your loved one.
Chronic Stress
Worrying about your parent’s health could become depressing. You may wake up fearing the worst instead of enjoying the moment.
If you continue to stress out about your loved one’s health, you could experience burnout. You may manage your stress levels by accepting your best, doing fun activities, and embracing the time you have with your loved one.
Caring for older adults may be an overwhelming task, especially if managed alone. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones may turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Columbus homecare services. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 614-678-5887 to learn more about our high-quality home care services.
