Caregiver Burnout: 7 Warning Signs and Ways to Get Help

When Did You Stop Being a Daughter and Start Being a Caregiver?

There isn’t an official day when someone hands you the caregiver title

Instead, caregiving happens little by little.

You start driving Mom or Dad to doctor’s appointments. Then you pick up prescriptions. Before long you are grocery shopping, paying bills, managing medications, making meals and fielding late-night phone calls.

One day, you realize your calendar revolves around someone else’s needs. You stopped being a son or daughter and became the caregiver.

This is the place where Capri Communities often meets families. Adult children come to us thinking they need options for Mom or Dad and discover they need support too.

Caregiving is a role you embrace out of love. But love, by itself, doesn’t prevent caregiver burnout. In fact, it can make it harder to recognize.

The Small Losses You Don’t Notice

Caregiver burnout moves in as caregiving steals tiny pieces of your life until they’re gone. When you examine your life, you realize:

• You can’t remember the last time you met a friend for lunch.
• Your favorite hobbies are collecting dust.
• You keep canceling appointments because your parent’s needs feel more urgent.
• Vacation feels impossible.
• When you have a free afternoon, you’re too exhausted to enjoy it.
• You have lost your relationship with the person you are caring for.

Instead of talking about grandchildren, family memories or favorite recipes, every conversation turns to medications, appointments and safety concerns.

7 Signs You’re Burning Out

Burnout isn’t always obvious. But you may be experiencing caregiver burnout if you:

1. Feel tired even after sleeping. 
2. Are more impatient than you used to be. 
3. Feel guilty for taking time for yourself. 
4. Say no to friends because it’s easier than explaining. 
5. Constantly worry about what could happen next. 
6. Feel resentful and then feel guilty for that. 
7. Wonder if this is how life is going to be from now on. 

If this hits home, you might be taking on too much by yourself. 

Remember the Airline Oxygen Mask?

Every airline gives the same instruction before takeoff: Put on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else.

Caregiving works the same way. You cannot care for someone else while ignoring your own health, relationships and emotional well-being.

Self-care is part of being a good caregiver. You’re practicing good self-care when you:

• Keep your own medical appointments. 
• Go for a walk or to exercise class. 
• Say yes when someone offers help. 
• Meet a friend for coffee. 
• Return to a hobby you once loved. 
• Ask siblings to share responsibilities. 
• Join a caregiver support group. 
• Regularly take time off.

Share the Care 

Many adult children believe asking for help means they’ve failed. But there comes a point when you cannot meet your loved one’s growing physical, emotional and medical needs alone.

That’s where senior living can change everything. Senior living communities, like Capri, expand your parent’s care team to give you some relief.

Professional caregivers handle meals, medications, housekeeping, wellness programs and daily support so you can return to your traditional role as son or daughter and keep making memories.

You Deserve Care, Too

You care for your aging parents because you love them, but you should not sacrifice your own health, relationships or happiness as you do.

If you’re struggling to care for an aging loved one, it’s a sign that you need some extra help. Perhaps you can ask other family members to share the load or bring in respite care. Or maybe it’s time to think about senior living. 

The greatest gift you can give your parent isn’t doing everything yourself. It’s making sure both of you can enjoy this season of life together.