When a loved one starts needing help at home, many families step up without hesitation. But what happens when the caregiver starts to burn out?
Malina Rivers, RN and Chief Operations Officer at BrightStar Care of Charlottesville, offers expert advice. Here’s what she wants every family caregiver to know:
Caregiving often starts without warning
Most people don’t plan to become caregivers, it just happens. You might be helping a parent after surgery or stepping in for a spouse living with dementia. Before long, the role becomes full-time. From managing medications to attending appointments, the responsibilities pile on quickly and quietly.
You can lose sight of your own life
Caregivers often push their own needs aside, thinking they can power through. Rivers shared the story of a woman who hadn’t had a haircut in three years because she couldn’t leave her husband alone for two hours.
“The truth of the matter is she did have someone who would stay for two hours, but she forgot to ask,” Rivers said.
Sometimes, it’s not a lack of help, it’s forgetting that it’s okay to ask for it.
The warning signs are easy to miss
Many caregivers experience physical and emotional symptoms without realizing their signs of burnout. Unintentional weight loss, frequent illness, irritability, or simply neglecting basic self-care can all be red flags. Left unchecked, caregiver strain can lead to serious health concerns.
Relationships can suffer too
When you take on every task yourself, you risk losing the connection you have with the person you’re caring for.
“Are you being the husband, the daughter, the wife, the friend?” Rivers asked.
Let the doctor, nurse, or counselor deliver the difficult news so you can remain in the cherished role of spouse, daughter, or friend. Preserving your emotional bond is just as important as providing physical care.
A little break can go a long way
You don’t need to step away forever, but you do need to step back sometimes.
“Sometimes just a little bit of respite… is all that’s required,” Rivers said.
Even a walk in the park or a quiet moment in the car can help you reset. Whether it’s bringing in a professional caregiver, asking a sibling to step in, or simply scheduling short breaks, caring for yourself should never feel like a luxury.
Caregiver burnout is real, but you don’t have to face it alone.
BrightStar Care of Charlottesville and other local resources are here to help. Find more information on their website or by reaching out directly.