Many caregivers struggle from burnout, but support is available
According to a 2020 report, 53 million Americans are providing unpaid caregiving support to adult family members and loved ones. Of those who are caregivers, many are experiencing caregiver burnout, a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.
Fortunately, support exist to help caregivers — both those currently experiencing burnout and those seeking to prevent burnout from occurring.
Signs of caregiver burnout
• Isolation and withdrawal from others
• Loss of interest in activities
• Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
• Changes in mood
• Abnormal eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in health Feeling the stress of caring for a loved one is common, but an abundance of in-person and virtual support that addresses the physical, emotional and financial needs of caregivers is available.
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Since its founding in 2000, NFCSP has been helping families care for loved ones in their homes for as long as possible. A range of services and information can be accessed through their website, including caregiver training, information on community services and how to access them, caregiver support groups and individual counseling.
Eldercare Locator
Eldercare Locator is a service provided by the United States Administration on Aging that acts as a hub of information for both older adults and caregivers.
While its premise is to help seniors live as independently as possible, caregivers will find plenty of useful information to aid in navigating their caregiving role in the Caregiver Corner section of the website, including links to frequently asked caregiver questions such as “I am a caregiver. How do I work with my employer?” and “How do I know I am making the right decisions?”
Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER)
The financial burden of caregiving is profound. Caring for a loved one can significantly affect a caregiver financially, both in expected ways — such as with medical and healthcare expenses — and in less expected ways, such as in the form of lost income from taking time off work to support a family member needing care.
WISER recognizes the impact of caregiving on income security and outlines an array of resources on their website for caregivers who are feeling the financial strain of caring, including how to create a budget as a caregiver and how to navigate your own career while providing care at home.
Alzheimer’s Association
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is an experience wrought with unique challenges and a particularly strong need for support. In addition to a 24/7 caregiver helpline (800272-3900), the Alzheimer’s Association presents resources for those navigating the complex task of caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
At alz.org, caregivers will find information on the nature of the disease, how it changes the individual who has been diagnosed and his or her relationships, how to manage the stress involved in caring for someone with
Alzheimer’s, and understanding feelings of grief and loss as their loved one’s disease progresses.
Caregiving can be an overwhelming sacrifice, and while many of us would willingly commit to caring for a loved one without hesitation, it is an endeavor that requires a strong net of support.
The above resources are but a piece of the roadmap to navigating the caregiving journey. Should you decide to entrust your loved one’s care into the hands of professionals, The Hickman offers a warm and inviting community for the older adult in your life to thrive.
From our Independent Plus+ living and shortterm respite stay programs, to our personal care communities and memory care neighborhood, we invite you to visit our beautiful campus and see why “when you’re here, you’re home.”