Handling Caregiver Fatigue While Still Providing Quality Care
Caregiving is a rewarding job, but it’s also challenging. Whether you’re a professional caregiver helping senior residents stay at home, or you’re a family caregiver lending a hand to a loved one, taking care of another person is hard work. Even if it’s not a full-time job, caregiving can quickly take its toll and cause caregiver fatigue.
While caregiver fatigue may be common, it’s not something you have to accept as part of your role. Understanding what caregiver fatigue is and how to prevent it not only helps you be a better caregiver but also preserves your physical and mental well-being.
Caregiver Fatigue–Signs It’s Impacting You
Caregiver fatigue is a condition during which the demands of being a caregiver cause physical, emotional, and mental stress and exhaustion. It’s also called caregiver burnout. The signs and symptoms of fatigue or burnout can vary among individuals but often causes feelings of anxiousness and stress. People who experience burnout may also have physical symptoms, like headaches, appetite changes, body aches, mood swings, or trouble sleeping.
If you’re experiencing burnout for the first time, it’s easy to push the signs and symptoms aside. You might try to convince yourself that you’re not feeling that bad or that you’re just complaining, but ignoring your fatigue can lead to more serious conditions such as depression, physical illness, or life-altering thoughts.
Tips for Managing Caregiver Fatigue
Caregiver fatigue happens to nearly every caregiver at some point in their career. But just because it’s likely to happen, or does happen, doesn’t mean you can’t work through it. Consider these tips the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving duties so that you can continue to safely balance your feelings and the quality of care you provide to others.
Ask for Help
No one should feel alone in caring for an aging loved one. It’s an emotionally and physically exhausting job. Even professional caregivers have a team of people around them who can provide assistance and guidance during tough cases.
If you’re a family caregiver, reach out to those in your inner circle and ask for assistance caring for your loved one. Let them know you’re not able to do everything alone, and ask them if they’re willing to help. Even if it’s temporary help, having a few days off can help you disconnect and recharge. Don’t forget to turn to resources you might not think of right away such as your church.
If you’re a professional caregiver, don’t think you have to push through burnout just because it’s your job. Talk to your manager or agency and let them know how you’re feeling. Ask for assistance with your clients or time off.
Prioritize Self-Care
Even when days are long, schedule time for yourself. Set aside an hour each day to relax or do something you enjoy, even if it’s as simple as watching your favorite show, reading a book, or taking a bath.
Putting yourself and your needs first is a learned skill. If you’re unsure of how to invest in and care for yourself, consider working with a mental health professional, such as the experts at the Self Care Institute of Atlanta.
Establish Expectations
Caregiver fatigue can often stem from trying to do too much for your client or loved one. As a caregiver, you see that the senior you’re helping needs support. It’s practically in your nature to overexert yourself because you want to assist with everything, even if you can’t realistically do everything yourself.
Whether you’re a family caregiver or a professional home health aid, it’s important to establish expectations and boundaries with the person you’re caring for. As tempting as it is to say “yes” to everything, set clear expectations for what you can help with and what tasks you’re not equipped to handle.
Consider Respite Care–Work with an Angel Caregiver Today
If you’re a family caregiver experiencing burnout or fatigue, consider working with a professional at-home care provider, such as Visiting Angels, for respite care. Respite care is a temporary service that allows family caregivers to relax and recharge so they can return to their loved ones and provide the quality care they deserve. Caregivers providing respite care can assist with various non-medical tasks, such as meal preparation, grooming, mobility, medication reminders, and local transportation. Our Angel caregivers at Visiting Angels Atlanta East are truly empathetic individuals who serve their clients with respect and compassion.
Contact our Atlanta East office to learn more about respite care and our other at-home care services for seniors.