Senior caregivers must balance other responsibilities and make significant sacrifices to provide care. It is therefore important to be proactive in combatting burnout. Senior caregivers can become isolated in carrying out their responsibilities. Consequently, their other relationships can suffer and other family members may become angry or resentful. They may face consequences professionally, losing job opportunities or even having to stop working entirely. All of these stresses can lead caregivers to feelings of anger, anxiety, guilt, frustration, exhaustion, and a sense of overwhelming helplessness.

Strategies to Avoid Burnout

In order to avoid becoming burnt out and unable to sustain all caregiving responsibilities, senior caregivers may wish to employ the following strategies:

• Learn about and understand the senior’s health condition. Knowledge and understanding about their health will allow the caregiver to anticipate changes that might require adjustments to care.  This can also help to mentally prepare them for significant deterioration.
• Allow the senior to be involved. As much as possible, the senior should be involved in decision-making and problem-solving. Senior caregivers should limit assistance to what is actually necessary.
• Do not take a senior’s behavior, anger, frustration or aggression personally. Often these are manifestations of dementia or other conditions the senior may have and are not something the senior really has direct control over, so taking them personally will only further complicate the situation.
• Ask for help. Delegate as much as possible to family members, friends or neighbors.
• Eat healthy and exercise regularly. Taking care of one’s physical and mental health enables one to be a better caregiver for the long haul.
• Find a support system. Caregivers should discuss their feelings and frustrations about their caregiving experience with friends, a support group or a professional counselor.
• Make sure to investigate the senior’s financial and personal resources. There may be other resources that can assist with the care of the senior. Conversely, investigating resources early will avoid depleting all resources too quickly.
• Investigate other options. Community resources, senior day programs and in-home care service providers can offer options for supplements to care by family members.
• Be at peace with decisions. If you decide that outside resources are needed, be at peace with that reality. Consequently, this can help alleviate anxiety and stress. Consider professional home caregivers or an assisted living facility. This helps in making the right decisions. Furthermore, do not hesitate to contact professionals. Stay in touch with healthcare providers to determine the best options for senior loved ones.

By employing the above strategies, senior caregivers can hope to minimize stress and anxiety and avoid a rapid burn-out that can jeopardize their ability to provide care for their loved one.

Give us a call at (239) 337-4263 for more information on our home care services in the Fort Myers, FL area.