While it is true that caring for a loved one that is sick or injured may bring about a high level of personal satisfaction and be rewarding, it is also a highly stressful and overwhelming endeavor. When caregiving, you may reach a point of exhaustion – be it physical, mental, or simply emotional.

This may then transition into high stress levels, anxiety, immense fatigue, guilt, and depression. This often stems from doing more than you are physically capable of, financially able, or mentally capable of dealing with.

You may become overwhelmed watching as your loved one goes through their illness or injury. Whatever the situation, the good news is, there are effective measures for minimizing the effects of caregiver burnout. Continue reading to learn how.

Step #1: Focus on Your Health

Caregiving usually results in around-the-clock care. This is especially true if you live with the person that you care for. You should make certain that you take the time to focus on YOUR health.

This means consuming vast amounts of water, eating foods that are considered to be healthy, engaging in exercise on a regular basis, and sleeping regularly. If need be, get up-to-date on your immunizations and set up appointments for any health screenings that you need.

You should also inform your medical doctor that you are acting as a caregiver. If you have concerns, be certain to express them. This is especially true if you feel as if you are suffering from caregiver burnout.

Step #2: Ensure Regular Breaks

Many caregivers provide care at all times of the day and night. Despite the need, it is imperative that you schedule regular breaks for yourself. You should enlist the assistance of a friend, relative, or neighbor to help with breaks.

If this is not possible, you may consider using adult day care services or assisted living facilities to help in providing care when you require a break. You may also contact a specialist that provides free senior placement services for help in finding a back up care team for you when you are unable to tend to the needs of your loved one.

Step #3: Ensure Optimal Organization

As a caregiver, you have a lot of responsibilities. These include helping with activities of daily living and ensuring comfort levels, but that is not all. Additionally, you need to keep up with your loved one’s belongings, medications, medical supplies, appointments, identifying documents, medical documentation, and other items of interest.

You must be organized. You may use calendars or planner, integrate the use of a file box, a pill box, and similar items. By staying organized, you can save yourself and your loved one a lot of time and effort.

Help is Available

Caregiving and the burnout experienced by the endeavor is very difficult. While there are steps you can take to minimize the effects of caregiver burnout, there is a lot of help available.

You just have to know what and how to get it. We here at Beacon Senior Advisors offer advice, placement services, and many other types of resources that may help you with all that you are dealing with.

For more information, please feel free to contact one of our professional advisors today by calling: 973-713-0096