Caregiver burnout — or total physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion — can strike when you regularly give more than you have and are not getting the help or support you need. It’s a result of cumulative stress. As the Cleveland Clinic notes, caregiver burnout often sneaks up on you because it’s hard to see you’re pushing yourself beyond your limits until you’ve completely run out of fuel.
Caregiver burnout can hurt your ability to care for yourself and your loved one. Many caregivers neglect their health while caring for someone else. According to the AARP/NAP report, 35 percent of caregivers said they put off dental or doctor’s appointments, 33 percent delayed recommended treatment, 31 percent didn’t seek support when sick or injured, and 28 percent neglected to fill their prescriptions.
The American Family of Physicians (AAFP) warns that the stress of caregiving can also lead to a higher risk of developing the following health problems:
- Substance use disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
- Heartburn
- Infection
- Obesity
- Pain, such as muscle and joint pain or headaches
Studies like the one published in The Gerontologist show that when health problems are left untreated, you and your care recipient can experience a dip in your quality of life. In rare cases, caregivers could even face their own health crises due to the stress of caregiving.
Caregiver burnout takes a toll on society, too: With more than 650,000 jobs lost and nearly 800,000 caregivers suffering from absenteeism, caregiver burnout costs our economy an estimated $44 billion, according to the Health of America report published in 2021 by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Signs of Caregiver Burnout
According to the MedLine Plus, symptoms of caregiver burnout include:
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling alone or left behind by others
- Frequently feeling tired, worried, or sad
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Gaining or losing a lot of weight
- No longer being interested in activities you used to enjoy
- Easily getting irritated or angry
- Frequent headaches or body aches
- Coping with unhealthy behaviors like smoking or drinking too much alcohol
It’s important to remember that you deserve to be taken care of just as much as your care recipient does.
Read the Complete Article Series
If you relate to this article, we encourage you to read the rest of this series: Part 1 – The Challenges of Family Caregiving and Part 3: Finding Time for Self-Care When Caregiving.
Resources for Caregivers
- AARP Caregiving Forum Chat with fellow caregivers for older adults.
- Alzheimer’s Association Join a support group and get advice on caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease on community message boards.
- Family Caregiver Alliance Support Groups Join online support groups for caregivers, young adult caregivers, or caregivers in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Caregiver Action Network Forum Ask about how to deal with medical professionals and care for loved ones with mental health issues, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or COPD.
- Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program Learn how to support veterans and their loved ones, or call its Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274.
- FCA Family Care Navigator Find caregiving support services in your state, such as government health and disability programs and disease-specific organizations.
- Medicare.gov Access resources for caregivers who are supporting someone on Medicare.
- Well Spouse Association Join a support group and get resources for caregivers caring for chronically ill or disabled partners.
SOURCE: EverydayHealth.com, article shared with permission
