Are You in Danger of Experiencing Caregiver Burnout?

As much as caring for our senior loved ones is a great honor and rewarding in a plethora of ways, it can also quickly become overwhelming. Meeting the needs of another person naturally means we have less time to meet our own, and something has to give, whether that’s self-care, our job, our other relationships, or hobbies and interests that bring us enjoyment and fulfillment. And in conjunction with the added stress often comes another difficult feeling to manage: guilt.

Many people providing care for another are reluctant to reach out for assistance, thinking it’s best to try to handle it alone. However, this approach is extremely unhealthy. Caregiver stress can develop rapidly into caregiver burnout, that can bring with it:

Impatience
Irritability
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Health problems
Reduced energy
Sleeping issues
And more

In addition to these negative effects on caregivers, the person being cared for is also at risk. So it’s crucial for caregivers to develop a strong system of support rather than attempting to go it alone. Compassionate Nursing Services offers these tips to help reduce stress and avoid caregiver burnout:

Empower yourself. Feeling in control of the situation to the extent possible is encouraging. Remind yourself that it’s a conscious decision to provide care, and there are other avenues that can be explored if needed or desired.
Crush the blame. It’s natural to pity your senior loved one for the circumstances he or she is in (and yours as well), and to develop a “Why me?” attitude. Instead of placing blame, try to turn your attention to acceptance and seeking out the silver lining in the situation.
Reach out. One of the most difficult aspects of providing care for a senior loved one is accepting assistance from others. This can mean allowing family, friends, or a trusted home care agency, like Compassionate Nursing Services, to provide much-needed respite care.

Compassionate Nursing Services of St. Louis offers safe, dependable, experienced senior in-home care services that allow family caregivers the chance to recharge and avoid caregiver burnout. And it’s a fact that seniors receive higher quality care when family caregivers are rested and less stressed. Our services are customized to each individual, and can include:

Escorted transportation to medical appointments and fun outings
Meal planning and preparation
Light housekeeping
Companionship
Running errands
And much more, per each individual’s unique needs and interests.

To learn more about how we can help lower your stress level while providing your senior loved one with an enhanced quality of life, contact us any time at 314-432-4312.