Caring for a senior loved one can be an incredibly difficult calling, both physically and especially emotionally. Caring for a senior means having to be there for them for everything they need, from taking care of a whim to helping them with basic needs like clothing or bathing.
While the task is rewarding, the stress can be overwhelming. That’s when “caregiver burnout” kicks in. Caregivers who neglect their own needs in place of someone else’s risk coming down with this particularly dangerous condition.
When this happens there are a few ways to proceed. Either you learn how to cope with caregiver burnout or you hire an expert through a reputable Beverly Hills home care referral agency like A Better Way In Home Care. Of course, you could also learn to tell the early signs of caregiver burnout and deal with it before it takes a toll on your life. Read on to learn more about fighting with this dreadful condition.
How to Recognize It?
Sometimes, caregivers will exhibit early signs of emotional and mental exhaustion that can help them realize they might be pushing themselves too far. Sometimes, caregivers are so keen on helping others that they forget how to help themselves.
Some of the early signs of burnout include feeling irritable, avoiding friends and family, a change in appetite, lack of motivation or lack of interest for hobbies and other activities. Caregivers may also experience a modified sleeping pattern that might involve insomnia or oversleep.
Generally, feeling too weak and unmotivated to even get out of bed could be a sign of a big problem for caregivers and those who depend on them.
How to Prevent It?
Prevention is often associated with physical, not mental health. But prevention can be as important and possibly even more important in this case. Prevention can help caregivers get back on track before the damage becomes too far gone and causes them to crash. Here are some steps caregivers can take to prevent burnout:
Do Not Neglect Yourself
If you want to be able to take care of others, you need to be able to take care of yourself first. Burnout can wreak havoc on your immune system and affect you in more than one way.
Ask for Support
If you feel you can no longer take care of a senior loved one, you could always ask other family members to step in. And if you need someone to share your concerns and thoughts with, you can always find a support group. You can greatly benefit from other caregivers’ first-hand experiences and get together with people with the same problems you’re dealing with can help with the feelings of loneliness.
Visit a Therapist
Sometimes there’s nothing a support group can do for you. In that case, you should turn to a professional therapist. Professional therapy can help lift an enormous emotional burden off your chest.
Hire a Professional Caregiver
If you feel like you can no longer manage to take care of a senior, you should consider hiring a professional caregiver. There’s nothing wrong with looking for help outside. That does not mean turning your back on a loved one, which means staying strong so you can really provide enough support.
Beverly Hills Home Care Experts to the Rescue
The most important thing is to remember you’re not alone in this. If you’re not receiving enough support from the rest of the family, turn to professionals like therapists. If caring for someone seems like too big of a challenge for you and you feel it might alienate you from your senior loved one, contact A Better Way In Home Care. Our goal is to introduce a good caregiver who can help you take off some or all of your responsibilities and ensure a better life for you and your senior loved one.
