Caregiver Burnout – When You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling
What is a “caregiver“? Someone who is involved in helping someone else manage to carry out the tasks of living. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? For the caregiver, it is anything but easy or simple.
Let’s be honest. Being a caregiver is a tough job. Being a caregiver to aging parents is even tougher. Not that we don’t love our parents. Of course we do, or trust me, we would not undertake the caregiver role.
It’s stressful because of a lifetime of family dynamics. The emotions and memories, happy or sad, have a way of coming to the surface when least expected.
Who knew that providing TLC to loved ones could be this stressful? How stressful is it? Well, caregivers are at an increased risk of depression and burnout.
Symptoms of both tend to mimic each other. One contributes to the other. Sort of the age-old puzzle…”Which comes first? The chicken or the egg?”
~~~Signs of Caregiver Burnout~~~
anxiety irritability anger exhaustion self criticism trouble at work trouble in relationships substance abuse feeling overwhelmed apathy for usual activities depression
~~~Things To Do For You~~~ always talk with your doctor vent to support network speak with therapist call local senior service organizations utilize programs to assist caregivers join support groups arrange “home care” visitors get respite care do not neglect nutrition try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night take time to do something you enjoy you must find humor in everyday events Of course, each caregiver’s situation is unique. Some may be handling the responsibilities from thousands of miles away. Coordinating and managing elder care over the phone and making visits. Some live near enough to try to run two households. And, others have one or both aging parents residing with them. Whichever caregiver role you are in charge of, you have to take care of yourself. And I know it’s way easier for someone to offer well-meaning advice than it is to carry out.
But you have to try. Depression and burnout are serious conditions. How sad and unfair to have this happen to you when you are trying to make the last years of an aging parent as pleasant as possible.
(c) 2007 Karen Cook
Posted on January 31st, 2010 by Peter
Filed under: Home And Family | Comments Off


Family caregiving which is caring for a family member by a spouse or child or any member of the family is rewarding and a bonding experience which can also be stressful and create tension within family members. These conditions often not only affect the health of the person needing care but also that of the one giving the care.
As a continuation to the previous post, here are some other tips that will help you make a long term plan towards effective caregiving:
Obesity is defined as a chronic disease which increases risks of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, respiratory conditions, osteoarthritis, and cancers of the colon, breast, prostate and endometrium. This condition results in higher mortality rates related to the condition.
It is very important to have a long term planning for you to become a good and effective caregiver. Making difficult decisions is also expected of you if you take the caregiving path. To help you wth your decisions, you must fully determine all your choices and this is done through long term planning. How are you going to make long term planning?
The International Alliance of Carers Organizations or IACO is located in London. The main purposes or missions of this organization is to develop the visibility of the family caregiving across the lifespan as something that will be considered as a very significant international issue, to intensify the relationship between different countries and improve their caregiving programs through sharing of effective caregiving practices and to aid countries that are interested in organizing and promoting family carer organizations by providing assistance and encouragement to them. IACO was established on February 27, 2004. The caregiving organizations involved in IACO came from the countries UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States.
Home health aide, elder care companion or personal care attendant are terms often associated with the Professional Caregiver whose primary responsibility is to provide care for another individual in a private home. Commonly, those recovering from surgery, people with chronic conditions, elderly people needing assistance with daily living activities and people requiring companionship are those who seek the help of Professional Caregivers.