Top 6 Reasons Family Caregivers Get Burned Out

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Biggest Risk Factors for Caregiver Burnout in Des Moines, IA

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Des Moines, IA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. 

1. Isolation

Some older adults cannot be left alone for safety reasons. The demands of providing care for a loved one, raising a family, and/or working outside the home may leave the caregiver with little extra time. Over time, the demands isolate the caregiver. With the assistance of a support network, caregivers must find a way to stay connected with other loved ones. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior home care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (515) 264-2438 today. Although the role is a rewarding experience, the task of being a family caregiver isn’t without challenges and drawbacks. Unless caregivers take the necessary precautions, they’re at high risk for burnout. Various factors can contribute to the dilemma.

2. Too Many Demand

Caregivers often have other responsibilities, which may include a career and raising a family. Adding caregiving to the mix complicates the individual’s life in many ways, which may lead to stress overload when trying to adequately perform all duties. Scheduling conflicts may arise. In time, the situation becomes exceedingly stressful and may lead to burnout. Caregivers must have plans in place to manage unforeseen circumstances should they develop.

3. Behavioral Issues

Seniors living with dementia commonly display negative mood changes. Your older loved one may begin refusing necessary care or become angry or aggressive for seemingly no reason. Confusion and disorientation increase, which may lead to repetitive questions or statements. The behavioral changes may cause you undue stress if you’re not prepared for the events. Educate yourself concerning the progressive nature of your loved one’s condition and learn how to effectively handle the issues when they occur.  Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Des Moines Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

4. Physical Demands

A cognitively impaired senior may require supervision 24/7, which disrupts the caregiver’s sleep patterns should he or she need to routinely awaken at night to ensure the senior’s safety. An aging adult with mobility issues may require physical assistance to change position, which requires the caregiver to have sufficient physical strength. Either situation may lead to physical exhaustion. You can enlist the aid of other family members to monitor your parent at night. Learn proper body mechanics or use mechanical devices when performing physical transfers.

5. Neglected Self-Care

The hectic schedules of family caregivers often cause them to forego caring for themselves. By avoiding self-care, you could become mentally and physically exhausted. Consume a healthy diet to provide your body with adequate nutrition and energy. Routine exercise ensures you remain physically fit. Sufficient sleep allows the body to relax and repair itself. Periodic time away from duties allows you to rejuvenate. 

6. No Support Network

Caregivers cannot realistically handle the role alone. One or more persons must be able to take the caregiver’s place should he or she need to handle an emergency, meet other personal demands, or become ill. By enlisting the assistance of other family members, friends, or professional caregivers, the likelihood of becoming overwhelmed is drastically reduced. 

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