2 RiversideHealthcare.org Caring for an aging parent? How to reduce your risk of caregiving burnout Stepping into the role of caregiver for your older parent can be very rewarding. It’s heartfelt work—but often stressful work. If the stress becomes overwhelming, you could begin to experience a sense of exhaustion and hopelessness that experts call caregiver burnout. And at that point, you can’t properly take care of your own health, much less tend to your parent’s health and needs. Am I burned out? The symptoms of caregiver burnout can include: ● Eating too much/too little or drinking/smoking more. ● Often feeling tired or run down. ● Trouble concentrating. ● Feeling irritable or resentful toward your parent. ● Neglecting your own needs. Caregiver stress and burnout can also contribute to mental health problems, like depression, and can even harm your physical health. Molly Turner, a licensed social worker at the Riverside Cancer Institute, encourages those experiencing symptoms of burnout to seek help. “Please reach out, because we do have resources that your loved one might qualify for,” Turner says. “Unless you have already been in this role, you likely don’t know what those resources are. Sometimes just being able to sit down and talk about it, bounce things off of an uninvolved party, is very helpful.” Take action Burnout often happens when caregivers don’t take time to care for their own physical and emotional health. These tips from experts can help reduce your risk. ● Ask for help. Other family members or friends may be willing to help with some daily tasks—like driving your parent to medical appointments or running errands. They may also be willing to stay with a parent for an hour or two. ● Try to take at least a few minutes each day to unwind and recharge through hobbies or activities. ● Keep up your friendships. If you can’t leave the house, invite a friend over for coffee or lunch. ● Join a support group in person or online to share your feelings with others who may know what you’re going through and who can offer encouragement and possible solutions to ongoing problems. Sources: American Heart Association; Family Caregiver Alliance; HelpGuide Reach out To find caregiver resources, go to myrhc.net/cancer.
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