What to Do When You’re Burned Out from Family Caregiving
When aging loved ones struggle with day-to-day activities, many of us will do whatever it takes to aid that person so they remain comfortable and safe at home. This leads millions of Americans to take on informal caregiver roles in their families each year, whether for a spouse or a relative you visit to help out in their home. People of all ages help older family members with bathing, getting dressed, getting to appointments and other activities that enable folks to live independently as they age.
While assisting a loved one can be very rewarding, the pressure to do it all on your own can eventually take a toll on you, leading to what is known as caregiver burnout. However, you don’t need a long-term solution to start treating your short-term needs.
The biggest obstacle may be that these people often aren’t aware that respite care is highly flexible and can be provided on an hourly basis, whenever they need it. By providing a range of respite services, Right at Home Boston Metro West not only helps area seniors but their burned out caregivers, as well.
How Do You Know You’re Experiencing Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver burnout is extremely common and can be caused by many things. It’s natural to worry that a parent with dementia might leave the stove on or that your relative who struggles with stability might experience a fall at home. It could be that the hours you are spending on caring for your loved one each week makes it difficult to have a social life or attend your own medical appointments. Burnout occurs when you’re so absorbed in your role that you don’t take breaks and heed your own needs for self care.
Whatever the source of your concerns, you are not alone. More than half of primary caregivers end up experiencing burnout in some form. Signs include:
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Your caregiving duties are taking a toll on your mental or physical health.
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You know you need a break but feel unable to make a decision.
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You believe there is no one else who can fill in for you.
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You feel overwhelmed by your caregiving duties.
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When you step away from caregiving, you have difficulty focusing on other tasks.
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It is affecting other relationships in your life.
Don’t Let a Past Negative Experience Keep You from Seeking Professional Senior Assistance
Sometimes a negative experience with an elder care service leads people to lose trust in the caregiving industry, but it should not prevent you from reaching out for the help you need. Allowing an unfamiliar professional into your parent’s home does require a high level of confidence in the program you select. However, don’t let dissatisfaction with a previous service keep you from hiring a better one. Speaking to different service providers will help you feel more comfortable using one as you become familiar with the programs that are available.
Search for a care team that thoroughly vets and trains all of its caregivers. Make sure they talk to families about their loved one’s personality as well as physical needs and conduct assessments to find the right match for each client.
Avoid Caregiver Burnout with Right at Home’s Flexible Respite Care for Boston’s Seniors
It can be difficult letting go of duties you alone have been performing for an aging loved one. That’s why it’s important to do a little research on the kind of services you require. You want to be sure your loved one will be matched with a compassionate, highly trained professional who has access to help from their company if they ever need it.
At Right at Home Boston Metro West, the assistance we provide starts with a conversation. We often hear from primary caregivers who show signs of burnout but are unsure whether respite care is the answer. Our team is not only here to help, but we are ready to listen. You don’t have to commit to a plan right away. In speaking with one of our team members, you will get a clearer picture of how respite care could benefit you.
If you decide respite care is right for you, we will conduct an assessment to become familiar with your family’s situation. Based on that information, we will personalize a care plan and find a caregiver who is the best match for your loved one’s at-home needs and physical requirements. Caregivers are closely supervised so that they have the support they need to provide exceptional service during every visit.
Call us today or contact us online to find out more about the help available to you.
