| Outside the world of paid work, the people most | | | | The first strategy for preventing caregiver |
| prone to burnout are caregivers – people who | | | | burnout is: Don't try to do it all alone. Taking on all |
| devote themselves to the unpaid care of | | | | of the responsibilities of caregiving without regular |
| chronically ill or disabled family members. The | | | | breaks or assistance is a surefire recipe for |
| demands of care giving can be overwhelming, | | | | burnout. |
| especially if you feel you have little control over | | | | |
| the situation or that you're in over your head. | | | | Preventing caregiver burnout tip 1: Get the help |
| If you let the stress of caregiving progress to | | | | you need |
| burnout, it can damage both your physical and | | | | Ask for help when you need it. Call Always Best |
| mental health. So if you're caring for a family | | | | Care to run errands, bring a hot meal, or |
| member, it's essential that you get the support | | | | "baby-sit" the care receiver so you can take a |
| you need. The good news is that you're not alone. | | | | well-deserved break. |
| Help for a caregiver is available through Always | | | | |
| Best Care. | | | | Preventing caregiver burnout tip 2: Seek emotional |
| | | | | support |
| Warning signs of caregiver burnout | | | | Pablo Casals, the world-renowned cellist, said, "The |
| Once you burn out, caregiving is no longer a | | | | capacity to care is the thing that gives life its |
| healthy option for either you or the person you're | | | | deepest significance and meaning." Although |
| caring for. So it's important to watch for the | | | | caregivers are often isolated from others, it's |
| warning signs of caregiver burnout and take | | | | essential that you receive the emotional support |
| action right away when you recognize the | | | | you need, so you don't lose that capacity. |
| problem. | | | | Share what you're going through with at least one |
| | | | | other person. Turn to a trusted friend or family |
| Common warning signs of caregiver burnout: | | | | member, join a support group, or make an |
| - You have much less energy than you used to | | | | appointment with a counselor or therapist. You |
| - It seems like you catch every cold or flu that's | | | | can also draw strength from your faith. A |
| going around | | | | congregation in a church or synagogue can |
| - You're constantly exhausted, even after sleeping | | | | provide the encouragement you need to feel |
| or taking a break | | | | good about your caregiving role, and may also be |
| - You neglect your own needs, either because | | | | able to provide a break from time to time. |
| you're too busy or you don't care anymore | | | | When you are a caregiver, finding time to nurture |
| - Your life revolves around care giving, but it | | | | yourself might seem impossible. But you owe it to |
| gives you little satisfaction | | | | yourself to find the time. Without it, you may not |
| - You have trouble relaxing, even when help is | | | | have the mental or physical strength to deal with |
| available | | | | all of the stress you experience as a caregiver. |
| - You're increasingly impatient and irritable with the | | | | Give yourself permission to rest and to do things |
| person you're caring for | | | | that you enjoy on a daily basis. You will be a |
| - You feel overwhelmed, helpless, and hopeless | | | | better caregiver for it. |