Primary Reasons for Caregiver Burnout

Caregivers sometimes feel like being burned out is all their fault. However, feeling guilty about providing care to your senior loved one doesn’t do anything to help you feel better. Usually, caregiver burnout has a specific cause you can identify to figure out how to de-stress and better manage your own life. Knowing about the most common causes of caregiver burnout also makes it possible to avoid feeling down in the first place by taking preventative measures.

Working Full-Time & Caregiving at the Same Time

Your desire to try to be both a full-time employee and a caregiver is admirable. But trying to fulfill all of your responsibilities might leave you with zero to little time to rest or enjoy a moment to yourself. If you work full-time, you might need to arrange for respite care. Even if you only take a few hours for yourself each week to rest, you’ll notice a significant difference in your overall productivity and energy levels.

Providing Around-the-Clock Care Alone

Many family caregivers try to take care of their loved ones both day and night, especially when they live in the same house. However, providing senior care is quite different from staying up a few nights with a younger loved one. Seniors tend to experience more nighttime wakings as they age, which can begin to interfere with their caregivers’ sleep. Once sleep deprivation kicks in, you could begin to experience the symptoms of burnout. If your loved one gets up more than once a night for several nights a week, it’s time to check into hiring an overnight caregiver.

Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their day-to-day responsibilities. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour home care, Corio by Institute on Aging (IOA) can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.

Caring for Someone with Dementia

Seniors with dementia may exhibit signs of aggression that are difficult to manage alone. Adding new caregivers to the care plan may give your loved one a change of pace that boosts their mood. You’ll also have a chance to catch your breath after an upsetting encounter. If you find caring for your loved one with dementia also causes you to face emotional difficulties with watching his or her cognitive health decline, a caregiver can step in to allow you time to attend counseling or support group sessions—which are also offered at Institute on Aging. 

Caring for older adults who are experiencing cognitive decline can be difficult for some family caregivers. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Corio by IOA, a leading provider of memory care. Services available in our customizable care plans include mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.

Falling Behind on Physical Health Needs

Family members sometimes get so caught up in making sure their loved ones stay healthy that they overlook their own personal needs. Experiencing chronic pain or an unmet physical need can cause you to feel burned out. Make sure to schedule your annual physical exams in advance, which helps you avoid forgetting them. You may also need to ask someone else to care for your loved one when you’re sick, which will help you recover faster.

Lacking Knowledge about Your Loved One’s Condition

As a family caregiver, you might have been thrust into your role with little education about what it means to care for a senior, especially if your loved one has an ongoing health condition. Working with a professional caregiver gives you someone you can go to with your questions. Being informed can alleviate a lot of the stress that contributes to caregiver burnout.

Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to take a break from your caregiving duties to relax, de-stress, and prevent burnout. When searching for reliable home care San Francisco agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Corio by IOA, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, arranging transportation to medical appointments, and much more. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Corio by IOA team today at (415) 750-4111.