Caregiver Burnout: The Signs and How it Affects Care
Every day, approximately 2.65 million people provide unpaid care for loved ones with disabilities and chronic illnesses in Australia.
Caregiver burnout is a significant problem that has been increasingly recognised as affecting not just the caregivers but also their recipients of care.
What is the role of a caregiver?
The symptoms of caregiver burnout can be caused by a variety of factors such as the physical, emotional and mental stressors associated with caregiving; insufficient social support from other family members and friends; lack of sufficient resources in terms of time, money or knowledge; and the symptoms of their care recipient such as depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns.
Patients with disabilities are often unable to provide for themselves; caregivers may experience a sense of "helplessness", which can cause feelings of guilt and shame about not doing more. These symptoms, in turn, lead to an increased risk of signs of caregiver burnout.
What are the symptoms of caregiver burnout?
Symptoms of caregiver burnout in the person providing the care can include:
Feelings of inadequacy and guilt
Depression and anxiety
High blood pressure
Chronic pain
Caregivers can experience symptoms related to their health, including physical exhaustion from lack of sleep from stress and providing physical care for a person.
Consequences to the care recipient
Consequences of caregiver burnout to the recipient of care are often more severe and can include:
Isolation
Regression or withdrawal in their abilities to take care of themselves
Decreased motivation for independence in tasks
Medication compliance issues
Caregiver burnout can lead to a number of negative consequences for both caregivers and their recipients of care.
Can you recover from caregiver burnout?
Caregivers who experience symptoms of distress or mental health concerns should always see a doctor to prevent symptoms from worsening.
For those caregivers who are taking care of a family member with disabilities, it may be helpful for them to develop a personalised plan that includes short-term and long-term goals while also adjusting their expectations or getting help as needed in carrying out these tasks.
To be a successful caregiver, one must have patience, empathy and compassion along with deep reserves of love and support for the person they are caring for. It's essential to ask regularly, "Can I continue doing this?" If you answer no, it may be time to consider other options like assigning caregiving tasks among a group of people or even hiring someone else to provide care to reduce symptoms related specifically to providing physical care as well as signs of caregiver burnout.
Do you need additional caregiver support for your loved one? Reach out and make contact today to see how Caspian Care can help.