What You Need to Know About Caregiver Burnout When Caring for Seniors

According to AARP, almost 48 million Americans provide unpaid care to an adult relative or loved one. Many spend the equivalent of a workday or longer providing care in ways both quantifiable and unquantifiable: running errands, cooking meals, and simply being companions. But no matter how gratifying the work can feel at times, the daily realities of caring for an aging loved one often lead to caregiver burnout.

It’s a term you’ve likely heard; after all, even the CDC considers caregiving a public health issue. But what does burnout really mean, why does it matter, and how do you know if it’s affecting you? We’re here to talk about this important issue and what family caregivers can do to regain their sense of hope and happiness.

Everything You Need to Know About Caregiver Burnout

What is Caregiver Burnout?

Simply put, caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can affect caregivers of all types: paid or unpaid, family member or friend. And it’s growing more common as the Baby Boomer generation ages, with over 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day.

According to the National Health and Aging Trends Study, only 23% of adults over 70 can fully carry out self-care and mobility activities. That means a large number of older people rely on their loved ones for support in some form or another, including:

• Transportation
• Grocery shopping
• Meal preparation
• Housework and home maintenance
• Bathing, dressing, grooming, and other forms of personal care
• Financial assistance (paying bills, etc.)
• Medical/nursing tasks
• Navigating the healthcare system

Burnout by the Numbers

The reasons for taking care of a family member are as diverse as families themselves. But with so many millions of Americans doing this work, burnout is becoming an ever-more prevalent mental health crisis. Let’s take a look at some key figures from AARP’s 2020 Caregiving in the U.S. Report:

• 41.8 million - The estimated number of unpaid caregivers supporting adults over 50
• 49 - The average age of a family caregiver
• 4.5 years - The average duration of caregiving
• 53% of caregivers felt they did not have a choice in taking on this responsibility
• 70% of caregivers reported that it was difficult to manage high emotional stress
• 57% of caregivers report clinically significant levels of stress, anxiety, or depression

Caregiver Burnout Signs & Symptoms

Burnout comes about as the result of long-term stress and strain, lasting more than a few weeks. Everyone is different, but some of the major hallmarks of burnout are:

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Neglect of self-care
• Difficulty concentrating
• Pessimism
• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

Why Does Burnout Matter?

Burnout has a significant impact on both caregivers and those being cared for. A BlueCross BlueShield report found that burned-out caregivers often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including alcohol, tobacco, and food. Because stress hormones have a physical impact on the body, they also experience a number of adverse health effects, ranging from high blood pressure to obesity to clinical depression.

You can’t pour from an empty cup—and besides affecting you, burnout also affects the people in your care. You may think you’re doing the right thing by putting everything you can into their well-being. But at a certain point, you may be putting both yourself and your loved one at risk by trying to stretch yourself too thin.

What Can You Do?

The first step is to be honest with yourself and recognize that you both need and deserve help. It’s important to take care of yourself while you’re taking care of others, from getting a little extra activity to a little extra rest. And if you don’t know where to begin making time for yourself, talking to someone can help: the advantages of therapists and support groups can’t be understated.

Many people hesitate to think about alternative senior care arrangements, like assisted living, independent living, or memory care communities. Whether you think you can’t afford it or you aren’t sure there’s a place that can check all the right boxes, you may be surprised at what’s out there. In fact, in some situations, a senior care community is the best option for supporting your loved one’s unique medical, social, and personal care needs.

Every individual situation is different, but you don’t have to go it alone. Learning how to set limits, take breaks, and care for your own needs is a complex journey. Seeking help to do that isn’t just an available option—it’s a practical, effective, and often necessary one. 

Explore Your Options with a Senior Care Advisor

When it’s time to start thinking about senior living options, your local CarePatrol advisor will be there for you. Whether you’re just beginning to consider the possibility of senior care or need to make a decision quickly, a senior care advisor is your trusted guide in the process. Each CarePatrol advisor offers personalized recommendations, support, and resources at no cost to you—that way, you can focus on making the best decision for your family.

CarePatrol: Serving Families Throughout the United States

With 30 years of experience connecting families with their perfect senior care option, CarePatrol is ready to help you. Our senior care advisors are local experts who have carefully researched and vetted thousands of living options in their areas. Contact your nearest team today to gain a true partner in the search for senior care or simply ask us a question. We’re here to help!