Elderly care can be challenging. Coping with the stress of everyday life is tough anyway and when having to take care of parents or other elderlies in your home comes up as an additional responsibility, managing all of it sure is a tall ask. This is when you may suffer what we call caregiver burnout. Suffering mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion when you are looking after someone is called caregiver burnout.

Caregiving stress causes fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Elderly care is a demanding task and any shortcomings in it can have serious consequences. While taking care of parents can be very fulfilling, it has its challenges. Caregivers have often been found to suffer burnouts due to monotony and stress. You should be on the lookout for the signs of caregiver burnout so you can take precautions if needed.

Caregiver Burnout Signs to Watch Out For

Caregiver burnout may be mistaken as general depression. You may be disengaged from others and feel discouraged, signs that are associated with bouts of depression. Hence, identifying caregiver burnout is difficult. Recognizing the signs of caregiver burnout is crucial to maintaining effective and efficient elderly care. Here are the signs that tell you that you are suffering from caregiver burnout.

There’s a change in attitude from you from being loving to turning negative and indifferent

• There’s a change in attitude from you from being loving to turning negative and indifferent

• Distancing yourself from your friends and family

• Marked change in eating habits and weight

• Loss of interest in things you would always enjoy

• Feelings of helplessness, exhaustion, and irritation

• Disturbed sleep

• Feeling unwell and falling sick regularly

Taking care of parents or elderly care can severely damage your self-esteem as well. You no longer feel good about who you are and the feeling of pride in what you’re doing evaporates. Feelings of being alone overcome you while at the same time, you feel that you can’t find any time for yourself, not even for a short break.

Coping With Elderly Care Burnout

When the job of elderly care starts feeling like a nightmare to you, it’s high time that you seek medical help. You can cope with caregiver burnout by taking help of the following resources.

• Adult Day Care: Places for those above the age of 65 where they are kept engaged in various activities and also encouraged to socialize

• Home Health Services: Agencies providing nurses and home health aides for elderly care for a short period of time

• Aging Agency: Reach out to your local agency for aging or the local American Association of Retired Persons chapter for elderly care services in your area

• Assisted Living Facilities or Nursing Homes: Caregivers taking care of parents or other elderlies can find short-term respite stays for a much needed break from their responsibilities as caregivers

The stress of caregiving can severely affect you. You must notice the signs of caregiver burnout on time and seek help. Sinking into caregiver burnout causes heartburn among your loved ones and also the person you’re looking after. Take quick corrective action for better elderly care.

FamConnect understands the stress of elderly care. We stand by you in the noble task of taking care of parents. Our app's user-friendly features help you better respond to the needs of the person you’re looking after. Our app makes you a better caregiver.