18 Tips For The Family Caregiver

Understanding Signs Of Burnout

These are tips for the family caregiver that are reaching their breaking point.

Do you feel you are becoming more stressed and less able to cope with everything?

The care giving situation is getting more than you can handle?

• I don't socialize or get out often
• I cry easily
• No time for myself
• Worry about money and how to make ends meet
• Less time with family members who are enjoying life
• Losing your identity
• Fear of being left alone
• Feel guilty for thinking about yourself
• Feeling trapped
• Feel anger and resentment

Learn how to recognize burnout before it's too late.

Caregiver Burnout Signs

• Being short tempered with patient(care receiver)
• Irritated with most situations that arise
• You don't laugh much, "Laughter is the best medicine"
• You feel like you are under constant pressure
• You can't get enough rest/sleep
• Frequent rages - crying fits - withdrawal of care for the patient
• Isolation and feeling of guilt
• Refusing to go places and enjoying life

Get help from others. Family, friends, a respite care or a nursing home facility.

You may feel a great deal of guilt about this but you and or the family members need a break sometime.

You may have to give up the care giving role altogether, just to save yourself. You are important too. You need to get away from the patient for an extended period of time. Revitalize yourself, have some freedom.

No one can do this forever. This job is much too stressful and hard on your body.

We don't eat properly because we are too stressed or just plain too tired. We begin to lose weight and our body will start to give out. We don't get much chance for proper exercise or to interact with others. Others may take up smoking. Just to have a vice all their own or some will drink alcohol to dull the senses.

It is a shame, but we all cope in our own way.

So...

When do we decide enough is enough? Certainly not after we've done something we will regret.

You need to be honest with yourself. Recognize when you have reached your limit. When that comes, it's time to stop.

Last Tip

• Research alternative care facilities,get help from a qualified professional, and be at peace, because you are doing the right thing for you and the patient.