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If you’ve ever taken care of a chronically ill spouse or elderly parent, you know how stressful and exhausting it can be. If you’re living through the experience right now, you might be feeling overwhelmed or even at a breaking point—even if you love the person you’re caring for very much. caregiver burnout is real.
Many caregivers have trouble taking care of their own needs as they provide so much care for the needs of others. Whether you feel guilty for taking time out for yourself, or if you just feel like you don’thavethe time to take, consider this perspective: If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have anything left to give.
Caregivers Caught in the Middle—How the Overworked Sandwich Generation Can Cope
What Leads to Caregiver Burnout?
Fear or Uncertainty
if you’re in the position of caring for someone with cancer or another serious disease, you’re probably also dealing with concerns for your loved one’s future. If you’re caring for a child with special needs, there may be uncertainty as to how to proceed. Being in the position of being a caregiver usually carries some heavy responsibility and sometimes scary situations.
Financial Pressure
As medical bills and other treatment, fees accrue, and as less energy is left for work, caregivers often find themselves facing financial pressures as well.
Isolation
When dealing with the needs of someone who requires constant care, a caregiver can feel isolated from the rest of the world. Whether you’re in a position where it’s unsafe to leave your loved one alone, or even if they just get lonely when you leave, you may find yourself much more tied to the home than before, which can make it more difficult for you to get exercise, connect with others, and do the things that help you take some stress off.
Minimal Alone Time
While caregivers may feel isolated from others, it’s also common to have very little time alone. The need for solitude is very real for most people, and the stress of getting little time alone can feel confusing for someone who also feels isolated, but both feelings can coexist with caregivers, causing their stress to multiply.
Demands of Constant Care
Many caregivers find themselves giving round-the-clock care, or spending virtually every free moment attending to the needs of their loved one. Others find that their responsibilities are less constant, but never know if they’ll be needed at one particular moment or the next, so they feel like they need to be constantly available. The feeling of being “always on duty” can take a heavy toll on a caregiver.
Compassion Fatigue: The Toll of Caring Too Much
How Caregivers Can Lessen Stress and Overwhelm
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