50+ Lifestyles

6 Signs of Caregiver Burnout …and How Jane’s Place at CASI Can Help

By Kathy Horrell
Director of Senior Service
Center for Acrive Seniors, Inc.

Caring for a loved one can leave the caregiver exhausted and stressed out. Chances are, if you’ve been a caregiver for more than a few weeks you’ve experienced or noticed a
certain degree of caregiver burnout.

Knowing the common signs of burnout is critical for both the one being cared for and the caregiver.

1. I just don’t feel like talking to or seeing anyone today—even my friends and family. If you discover that you consistently don’t want to interact with people, especially close family and friends, it could be a sign that caring for your loved one is becoming too draining.
2. I used to really enjoy reading mystery novels, but for some reason, even a thrilling ‘Whodunit’ doesn’t seem to hold my interest anymore. If your favorite hobbies and pastimes aren’t interesting to you anymore, it may indicate that you need a break.
3. Sometimes taking care of mom is too much—I feel like I want to end it all. Thoughts of suicide or hurting your loved one are dangerous warning signs of extreme burnout. You should immediately seek help from a mental health professional if you find yourself having violent thoughts.
4. I’ve been eating weirdly as of late. Abnormal eating patterns, whether it’s eating too much or not enough might be an indication of extreme stress.
5. I’ve been sleeping weirdly as of late. If you can’t seem to fall asleep at night, or have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you may be feeling the effects of too much caregiving responsibility.
6. It’s been several weeks and I can’t seem to shake this cold. Stress can wreak havoc with your immune system. Illnesses that last longer than they should are a sign of reduced immune system functioning that could be due to your caregiving duties.

These signs of physical and emotional stress may indicate that it’s time for the caregiver to seek help. Join us for an open house on Thursday, April 13 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Jane’s Place to learn how we can help. See our ad in this issue or call (563) 386-7477.

Jane’s Place Adult Day Services at the Center For Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) is the only Eastern Iowa area adult day services program designed to provide respite care for those who are caring for older adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and for those who need supervision during the day.