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Caring for a loved one in their time of need can be extremely rewarding, but it’s a responsibility that can also place a great deal of physical and mental stress on the caregiver. If you’re caring for someone without the assistance of a home aide, it’s important to look out for signs that you’re burnt out from caregiving. By recognizing problems early, you can enhance your approach and provide more quality care.

While caregiver burnout can vary from person to person, some of the most common signs to look for — and possible solutions — include:

  • Anxiety: When you become a caregiver, it’s natural to have concerns about the wellness of the person in your charge. However, this worry can often become a larger problem that creates an ongoing sense of panic and anxiety in your everyday life. If you’re constantly thinking about getting tasks done or providing optimal care, it can help to reassess your responsibilities and prioritize needs. Create a list of tasks to schedule things you need to do and form a plan of action or routine that will help you feel more at ease.
  • home aideExhaustion & Poor Health: Being a sole caregiver can be a 24-hour job, which not only disrupts your daily activities but can also get in the way of sleep. This general sense of fatigue can have a variety of consequences, including lack of self-care and reduced immunity to illness. To make sure you’re in your best health — and ready to assist your loved one — it’s critical to get a full night of rest, exercise, eat healthy foods, and work with a doctor to better manage health conditions.
  • Anger or Frustration: The isolation of caregiving can take a serious toll on one’s mental health, which may manifest in ways other than anxiety or depression. If you find yourself becoming impatient or excessively irritable, it’s important not to let these emotions build up. Working with a counselor or support group can help you explore these feelings in a healthy way and discover management techniques. Making time to socialize and relax on your own is also important when preventing feelings of resentment.

If caregiving has left you feeling hopeless, anxious, and fatigued, you could also benefit from the help of a professional home aide. These professionals are trained to manage health, provide companionship, and help with daily activities — all of which can ease your responsibilities.

Offering both home health care and support services in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Lifetime Care has the expertise and resources to ease the burden of caregiving. The help they provide can be adjusted to fit your specific needs, allowing you to have complete confidence in the quality of care your loved one receives. Learn more about their expansive programs online, call (585) 214-1000 to schedule a consultation to arrange home aide assistance or call (585) 475-8800 regarding support services in your area.

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