Caregiving Caregiver Burnout: Stress and Mental Health By Tonetta Clay, Caregiver Specialist for Support Groups The demands of caregiving can be stressful, exhausting, and There are things you can you do to help lessen and/or prevent burnout while helping you regain control of your life as a caregiver.
• Take care of your health and eat a healthy diet. Staying current with doctor’s appointments and recommended care keeps you in good health so that you can continue to care for your loved one. Eating a healthy diet will give you much needed energy and help you feel better while providing care. • Be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do in caring for your loved one. This is something that’s difficult to discuss, but it’s a much-needed conversation. Do you need respite care to get a break? Is caregiving too much for you to handle (mentally, physically, or emotionally)? Can you no longer provide the type of care your loved one needs? These questions and concerns are real, as are the frustrations, exhaustion and stress you feel! And these are exactly the types of conversations our Aging and Caregiving Specialists have on a daily basis, and they can assist you in your time of need! Taking back control of your life, wants, and needs is within your reach. By taking just one of the above suggestions you can start decreasing your stress and potential for burnout. I know it may seem impossible, but you can do it. You got this! For personalized assistance, reach out to our Family Caregiver Support Team by calling (520) 790-7262.
overwhelming. Forever “on call” as you care for a loved one, can tire you out! And perhaps you’ve forgotten about yourself in the midst of it all— your healthy and fun activities like hanging with friends or hobbies. This creates caregiver burnout that causes stress levels to rise and mental health to decline. It’s important that you take care of yourself otherwise you can’t fully take care of your loved one. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute survey, 40% of caregivers felt emotionally stressed, almost 20% said it caused financial problems, and 20% felt physically strained. Some of the warning signs to look for to know if you are experiencing caregiver burnout can include: • Feeling anxious, depressed, irritable, and exhausted • Racing thoughts and worrying about your loved one • Frequent headaches, body aches and pains • Neglecting your own health needs • Losing interest in things you use to like to do and avoiding people • Changes in appetite and sleep patterns, or possibly insomnia
• Ask for help from family, friends, and your external support system. Even if it’s someone to schedule doctor’s appointments or send you care packages…every little bit helps and will help you. If you are living in Pima County and have no support system or resources, PCOA is a one-stop-shop for obtaining the support, resources and information you need. Our Aging and Caregiving Specialists are here to help. • Seek support by talking and sharing with family and friends to get out your thoughts and frustrations. Don’t forget about the PCOA Caregiver Support Groups as that’s a great place to come and get much needed support, resources, and to know that you are not alone in your struggles. • Take regular breaks and attend social activities. Even a 10-minute break to regroup can do you a world of good. If you don’t have friends, family, or a support system to hang out with, keep in mind that the area libraries and recreational centers have lots of activities for you to enjoy and meet other people. PCOA also hosts monthly events that you may want to take advantage of like the EnhanceFitness ® classes.
April 2023, Never Too Late | Page 13
Pima Council on Aging
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