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Carer stress and burnout

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Sat, 21/11/2009 - 1:55pm
Carer stress can be avoided by accepting help and taking a break.

Caring for a loved one, although rewarding, can be challenging. Attempting to juggle extended roles whilst caring for a family member can cause many problems for carers.


In this article:

 

What is carer burnout?

Burnout is a term used to describe a state of exhaustion both physical and emotional brought on by prolonged stress. It can have a detrimental effect on your health, family and working life.

A busy carer can often neglect their own health as they keep themselves occupied worrying about the health of someone else. Sometimes this can go unnoticed. It can be easy to dismiss feeling a little run down but over time, lack of sleep will make you feel anxious, depressed and irritable. 

 

When caregiving takes over

Carers can unintentionally lose contact with friends and stop doing things they enjoy as the caring role takes over. Staying in contact with friends and taking time out is an essential part of caregiving. If you ignore your own needs it will make you feel resentful and hopeless. Keeping in contact with others is vital as sometimes carers need a person to call for help. Creating a support system and asking for assistance ultimately makes you a better carer. 

 

Carers of ageing family members

Caring for an ageing family member can take up a lot of a carer's time and energy. Organising time off for medical appointments, making a daily phone call and organising services can be ongoing.

Often older couples have to rely on each other as extended family live far away. Caring for family members from a distance can create its own problems, carers can constantly worry about a family member living far away and feel that they never truly provide enough care.

Where one spouse is caring for the other the physical health of the primary carer often declines and existing health problems can be exacerbated. Family often don't notice this decline in health until a crisis occurs.

 

Carers of people living with dementia 

If you are caring for a person with dementia, the person you care for may not recognise you any more. Caring for someone with dementia can be especially hard as carers often feel their efforts go unrewarded.

Managing behaviours such as wandering and aggression can be stressful. It is not uncommon for carers to feel resentful, angry and upset. Providing 24 hour care to a loved one can be relentless and often the needs of the carer are overlooked.

Always accept the help of others. Sometimes friends want to help but don't know how. Ask friends and family to do practical things for you. Taking a loved one to the park or help with the shopping our simple things people can do to give you more time to yourself. 

 

Signs of carer stress and burnout

Signs of carer stress and burnout are easy to overlook, especially when you are busy looking after the needs of someone else. The following signs could indicate caregiver stress:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Crying more often than usual
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low energy
  • Moody and irritable
  • Social withdrawal and loss of interest in hobbies
  • Denial
  • Feeling overwhelmed, worried or anxious 

 

How to avoid carer stress and burnout

Look after yourself: Remember to eat healthy foods and get plenty of rest. Exercise and do things you enjoy. Try something new like walking, dancing or swimming. Attend social gatherings, go to the movies once a week or play bridge.

Get support: Keep in contact with friends and have a network of people to call on for support and help. Join a support group, seek out help from associations in your state.

Manage stress levels: Inform your doctor if you feel increasingly stressed out, anxious or feel you can't cope. Start tai chi or meditation. Book a massage or plan time away. Understand your limits.

Ask for help: Talk about your problems with friends and family. Get them to do specific tasks for you like the shopping or to run errands. Find out what resources are available to you in your area such as community help, respite care and nursing and domestic agencies.

Look after your health: Inform your doctor that you are a carer. Let your doctor know if you feel depressed. Get regular health checks and make an appointment with your doctor by yourself.

Be informed: If you are caring for a person with a chronic disease find out all you can. Understand the nature of the condition and what to expect. Talk to other people in similar situations for ideas and advice on caregiving.

Most importantly recognise and set limits, listen for signs of stress and learn to ask for help. Always inform your doctor that you are a carer. 

 

Resources

  • Organise respite care by calling The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on 1800 059 059.
  • Contact Carers Australia for support and information about being a carer 1800 242 636. 

 

Related articles

 

References

Family Caregiver Alliance
A Guide to Taking Care Of Yourself
Accessed 2008