One of the most difficult things for a caregiver is realizing they may no longer be able to continue to care for an elderly loved one. During this time, it is important for caregivers to remember that their health is just as important as their loved one’s health.
Recognizing the signs of caregiver burnout requires reflection. Challenge yourself to keep a watchful eye for these signs:
If YOU are a caregiver and YOU experience:
- Fatigue — A caregiver is frequently emotional and physically fatigued
- Emotional Distress — Experiences of emotional distress and irritability
If you find yourself feeling this way, seek help or a respite from caregiving. Any break can help, and telling a family member or friend how you are feeling can be therapeutic.
If YOUR LOVED ONE experiences any of the following:
- Wandering — If your loved one begins to wander in or away from home and get lost, their risk of injury increases
- Aggression — Some seniors who suffer from dementia display aggression, violence or other out-of-character emotions
- Health/Illness — Many health conditions require different medications that can become hard to monitor and manage. It can also become difficult to care for an elderly loved one who is recovering from an illness because they may need advanced or specialized care.
One of the best things to do if your loved one is showing any of these signs is get advice from family members; they will have a more objective view than the caregiver. Once you decide that it is time to seek out a senior care facility, it is important to know that there are many resources and options – you do not have to do this alone.
At Onora Health, our approach to treatment was directly inspired by our own experiences caring for beloved parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Those personal insights have influenced us to treat our residents as we ourselves would hope to be treated in every aspect of care. Let us be a resource for you and let our family care for yours.
