What is Caregiver Burnout?
Caregiver burnout is very real, but is one of the most misunderstood concepts in caregiving. Some may feel, it can’t happen to me, I love the person I take care of, or I’m a professional caregiver I have been trained to be immune to caregiver burnout. Understand this, NO ONE IS IMMUNE to caregiver burnout.
Caregiver burnout is not one size fits all; everyone who goes through it will go through it in their own way.
Common signs of caregiver burnout:
Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones.
Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless and helpless.
Feeling as if no one can care for the patient like you.
Feeling like you are a danger to the person you are caring for.
Memory problems.
Changes in appetite, weight or both.
Increased intake of junk food and/or drive thru meals.
Changes in sleep patterns.
Getting sick more often.
Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring.
Emotional and physical exhaustion.
Unfounded fears.
Irritability.
Increased alcohol consumption.
Feeling misunderstood or like you always have to define your position.
Noticeable decline in basic self-care (body odor, unkempt appearance, and dirty clothing)
Caregivers that fall into the categories below are at increased risk of burnout:
Those caring for Patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s
Those caring for immobile morbidly obese Patients
Those caring for Patients that have emotion, mood, and/or mental disorders
Those caring for Patients with addiction or dependency issues
Caregiver Burnout Assessment Tool: https://www.joingivers.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71B5d6eeRHrgheGrbeTdgkcrCXFBnSYUcTJA_YFPCnnUcJEKGhFahigaArgZEALw_wcB
DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG IS GIVING MEDICAL SUGGESTIONS, WHICH CANNOT REPLACE MEDICAL TREATMENT. IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF URGENT MEDICAL CARE DO NOT DELAY TREATMENT. SEEK TREATMENT NOW.
