Family Caregivers and Burnout
Two Simple Ways to Ease Caregiver Depression & Improve Health
May 1, 2008
A family caregiver is a person who is caring for a sick loved one. According to the American Medical Association, the strains and demands of family caregiving put these individuals at increased risk for illnesses such as colds and flu, cancer, heart disease, and depression.
Caregivers are at risk due to two factors: their mindset and their circumstances.
How Mindset Can Cause Caregiver Burnout
Those giving care to an ill family member will reason that the sick person is worse off than they are, and so they become focused only on the patient’s needs and not their own. This can result in caregivers neglecting their own needs almost entirely. This can only go on for so long before it leads to caregiver burnout, strain and illness. Finding a balance is challenging but it can be done and will result in a better quality of life for both care recipient and care provider. Those giving care need to first understand that taking care is equally important.
Changing One’s Mindset Can Prevent Burnout
Flight attendants tell mothers of small children on an airplane: if it becomes necessary to use the oxygen mask, mothers, put your mask on yourself first, then place the children’s masks on them. The mother will be of no use to the children if she passes out; indeed, the children can die as a result of her natural instinct to take care of them before herself. Yet, the best way for her to protect her children is to make sure that she is ok first. It can be difficult to go against the natural instinct to protect the children first, but it makes complete sense to do so.
It is difficult to compare spouses or elderly parents to children; to see them lose their independence. But when illness strikes, loved ones do become more dependent and it pays to be realistic about this fact. Just like in pregnancy and motherhood, it is helpful if the caregiver sees his or her role as caring for two now: self and patient. Being alert to the signs of caregiver burnout is an essential part of this.
How Circumstances Can Cause Caregiver Burnout.
Multiple strains imposed by caregiving increase stress levels, which make people more vulnerable to disease. Burnout can easily result. Some of the strains include:
- worry about the loved one;
- having to make decisions about the patient’s medical issues and respond to crises and medical needs with no prior training;
- change in the relationship between caregiver and care recipient;
- too many demands;
- loss of financial freedom, privacy, personal freedom, free time;
- sleep deprivation;
- guilt over being healthy, having negative feelings toward care recipient, not having enough patience, or utilizing nursing home care.
Changing One’s Circumstances Can Prevent Burnout
Though some of the problems of lack of time, money and help may seem impossible to solve, there is always some progress that can be made, no matter how small. In a crisis, even a small change can make a big difference. Sometimes the best way to make a change is to find a caregiver support group and discuss the situation with people who completely understand because they have been there. They can direct others to resources which can be of great help.
When dealing with illness, life is replete with circumstances not under the person's control. However, those giving care to others can control their mindset and some of their circumstances. Taking these actions can prevent caregivers from becoming patients themselves.
