Caregiver burnout is the condition of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. A shift in mindset from
one that is caring and positive to one that is uncaring and negative may happen. Caregiver burnout can
happen when caregivers don’t get the support they need or if they attempt to take on more than they
can handle financially or physically. Many people who provide care for the sick or old feel guilty if they
spend time on themselves. The symptoms of “burnout” in carers include exhaustion, worry, anxiety, and
depression. Senior care experts in our assisted living facility share some of the common causes and
symptoms of caregiver burnout to help you understand more about it and know when you experience it.
Causes Of Caregiver Burnout
Caregivers frequently neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being because they are so
busy taking care of others. The demands on a caregiver’s body, mind, and emotions are too
overwhelming, which can result in fatigue, hopelessness, and eventually burnout.
Some common factors that can contribute to carer fatigue include:
Role Confusion:
Many individuals experience role confusion when pushed into the role of caregiver.
People may find it challenging to distinguish between their roles as caretakers and their roles as
partners, lovers, children, friends, or other close relationships.
Unrealistic Expectations:
Many caregivers anticipate that their assistance will improve the patient’s
well-being. For people with a progressive illness like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, this might be unrealistic
and having such unrealistic expectations can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
Lack Of Control:
Many senior caregivers experience frustration due to a lack of funds, tools, and
knowledge necessary to efficiently plan, coordinate, and manage their loved one’s care.
Unreasonable Demands:
Some caregivers put themselves under unreasonably heavy workloads, in part
because they believe that caring for others is their sole duty. Unreasonable demands may be made on
the caregiver by some family members, including relatives, or the patient. Additionally, they might
neglect their own responsibilities and put extra burdens on the individual designated as the primary
carer.
Other Factors:
Many caregivers struggle with burnout and ultimately reach a point where they are
unable to carry out their duties. They might even fall ill themselves.
Caregiver burnout can have negative effects on the health of the caregiver and even affect the
relationship between the caregiver and the recipient. If you are already depressed and stressed out,
seek medical care.
