Family Caregiver Burnout Signs to Look For
Are you a family caregiver for your elderly loved one? If so, you likely have a lot of tasks and responsibilities involved in this position. You may be running your elderly loved one around to their appointments, making their meals, managing their medications, and doing other tasks for them. All of this can be overwhelming. There is no shame in admitting that you need help. In fact, there are family caregiver resources to help in these situations. If you aren’t sure what is going on, there are some family caregiver burnout signs that you may want to look for in yourself. If you notice these signs, it might be a good idea to get elder care services for your loved one.
Sleep Issues
Are you experiencing sleep issues? This may mean that you wake up constantly throughout the night. It could mean you can’t sleep at all for 24 hours or more. You may be sleeping way more than you should be, as well. If you are having these sleep issues, it could mean you are too overwhelmed with your position as the family caregiver. It is okay to get help in caring for your elderly loved one.
Negative Emotions
Have you been very sensitive lately? Do you find that are arguing with your loved one often? Maybe you are crying at home because you are too overwhelmed from taking care of your elderly loved one. If you take a look at your moods and emotions now, are they a lot of different from before you were taking care of your elderly loved one? If so, you can turn to elder care providers for help. You don’t have to keep doing this by yourself.
Substance Abuse
Do you find that you are drinking more alcohol than you used to? Maybe you noticed that you are smoking far more cigarettes than you were smoking before you started caring for your elderly loved one. Substance abuse is a common sign of family caregiver burnout. You are not the only one who is going through that. It is likely that you are just looking for an escape. There is a healthier way for you to get the relief you are looking for. You can hire elder care providers to pick up the extra tasks for your elderly loved one that overwhelm you
Conclusion
Do you find any of these signs in yourself? If so, then you are probably feeling a bit burned out by your role as a family caregiver. This is a position that is tough on many people. However, you don’t have to keep doing it on your own. There are elder care providers who would be happy to help you with the tasks and other types of care that your elderly loved one needs.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in River Oaks, TX, contact the caring staff at Personal Caregiving Services at 832-564-0338. Providing Care in Houston, Bellaire, West University Place, Katy, and Sugar Land and the surrounding areas.
Sources
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/caregiver-stress
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