| Caregiver
Burnout: Effective Ways to Prevent Stress |
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By Danny Cain If you have been caring for the physical and or psychological needs of someone in your household, odds are that you have already experienced some of the signs and symptoms associated with "caregiver burnout". But what is caregiver burnout and how do you know whether or not you're experiencing it? After all, you've probably been so focused on meeting the day to day needs of your loved one that you haven't had time to really think about the associated effects that being a caregiver have had on you. Denying yourself the personal and emotional attention that is necessary is often a major factor contributing to caregiver burnout. This article will explore the various "role changes" that caregivers take on in caring for their loved one along with the associated risks and symptoms of caregiver burnout. We will also explore some practical caregiver survival tips that can assist you with dealing with the day to day stresses associated with this role. Finally, we will examine specific action steps that you can take to reduce caregiver burnout and ways that you can reduce stress and live a healthier lifestyle as a caregiver. Characteristics of Caregiver Burnout Let's begin with identifying the characteristics of caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is described as a state in which a person (a caregiver) experiences physical, emotional, spiritual, social and/or financial burden(s) in the process of caring for another. It is important to note that caregiver burnout is NOT a result of a single event, rather it's a combination of circumstances, experiences, and responses. Often times the increased burden of caregiver roles can create a greater demand of responsibilities which can be very taxing on the caregiver. This added stress and strain can effect the relationships that we have with our loved ones. It is said that healthy relationships require a "normal and balanced" exchange of caring for one another (both in giving and in receiving). Cognitive diseases (those that effect memory, judgment, communication) such as Alzheimer's or other physical disabilities often place a high demand on the caregiver which has the potential of overwhelming the caregiver's ability to meet these special needs. Taking on New Responsibilities As a caregiver, you may be forced into many new roles that have traditionally been carried out by the person that you are caring for. These roles can sometimes be overwhelming, sudden, unwelcome, and even intimidating. Taking on these new roles can be even more difficult if the relationship that you've had with the person prior to caring for them has been difficult or strained. Role reversal evolves when an ordinary exchange of assistance develops into an extraordinary and unequally distributed demand and burden on one person. Often the caregiver doesn't have the necessary resources during these difficult times and can easily be overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities. Personality traits may also play an influential part in whether a caregiver can adequately handle certain situations when caring for another person. How one handles stress is another important element to consider when providing care for another person. We're all "wired" differently and therefore have different thresholds for how much stress we can tolerate. I once counseled a caregiver who had an incredible amount of pressure placed on her as a caregiver. Her husband had Alzheimer's disease, a daughter was dying with cancer, work was becoming unbearable running back and forth, and she was beginning to have problems with her vision. The amazing thing is that she never once complained and was able to handle even the most difficult situations in stride. She obviously had a very high stress level. A close correlation often exists between caregiver survival and burnout. You might ask what is caregiver survival and why all the big fuss? Many caregivers if not careful can end up literally exhausting themselves to the point of a break down or even worse can begin exhibiting physical problems directly related to their role as a caregiver. A critical risk factor for caregiver burnout is the association between the emotional and physical well being of the caregiver. If these two areas are not attended to by the caregiver there is a higher risk of the caregiver exhibiting associated problems with burnout.
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