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New Haven

Assisted Living & Memory Care

Resources for Families

Why the Flu Shot is Extra Important for Seniors This Year

With all the talk about Coronavirus, sometimes you can almost forget that other diseases still exist. However, flu season is still on its way just like every year. And in fact, it’s more important than ever for seniors to have their flu shot this 2020 season. 

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What is the Flu?

A lot of people think of the flu as a stomach bug, or maybe a bad cold. Actually, the flu (short for influenza) is a specific virus that affects the lungs. Flu usually hits hard and fast, coming on quickly and making most people feel quite ill with symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches. 

Even a mild case of the flu can last for a few days to a couple of weeks of sickness. In severe cases, flu can last longer and hit harder and can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and even death. Seniors are especially at risk from the flu due to age-related changes in the body’s ability to fight off disease.

Although the flu is a single disease caused by a single type of virus, the flu virus changes and mutates every year. This is why the flu can make you sick over and over instead of being an illness that you get once and never get again. Even if you had flu once, by the next season it will have changed so much that your body doesn’t recognize that it’s the same disease and won’t protect you.

What is the Flu Shot?

The flu shot is a vaccine that protects against the flu. It does this by exposing your immune system to a small amount of dead flu virus in order to teach your body how to fight it off. 

Because the flu virus changes so much from year to year, the vaccine needs to change as well. This is why getting a new flu shot every year is so important. Last year’s flu shot cannot protect you from the kind of flu going around this year. Doctors and scientists work throughout the year to analyze the newest strains of flu and create a vaccine that will protect against those they think are most likely to be a problem during each flu season.

It’s important to know that the flu shot does not have live virus in it. It cannot make you sick or give you the flu. You may feel unwell for a day or two after getting the shot because your immune system is learning how to fight off the flu virus. This is not the same as having the flu.

Why is the Flu Shot Extra Important in 2020?

Many symptoms of the flu are similar to symptoms of COVID-19. Often, the only way to tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 is through medical testing at a doctor’s office. 

It is possible to get sick with the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. This is an extremely dangerous situation, especially for seniors who are already at higher risk from both diseases. There is evidence that having flu and COVID-19 together can make you sicker than either virus alone.

Many seniors who get the flu need hospital treatment. In fact, most flu-related hospitalizations are patients over the age of 65. Right now, because of COVID-19, the doctors and nurses who treat respiratory disease are already under a heavy caseload. One way to help reduce the burden of caring for COVID-19 patients is to help reduce the number of flu patients coming into the hospital. Getting a vaccine is the best way to do this.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot?

All people over the age of 65 should have a flu vaccine, as should caregivers and family members who see them regularly. Remember that it is easy for friends or family to catch the flu somewhere else and pass it on to a senior during a visit before they even realize they are sick.

No vaccine is 100% effective. Because of this, some people feel that it is not worthwhile to get the vaccine at all. However, the more people who are vaccinated, the fewer people will get sick at all. In addition, if you get the flu after having the vaccine, you are likely to be much less sick.

Want more information about senior health and wellness? Check out these other recent posts from our blog:

Dealing With Grief About Dementia

The days after a dementia diagnosis are a blur of doctor visits, assessments, questions, planning, and processing. For many seniors and their families, the first and most powerful experience after a dementia diagnosis is grief. Understanding this grief better can help you cope while moving forward with caring for your loved one.

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Understanding Different Kinds of Grief

A dementia diagnosis represents a huge loss. However, the feelings about it are complicated because it is a loss that will happen in the future. This type of grief is called anticipatory grief. The anticipation of a future loss can be harder to bear than the actual moment when it comes. In part, this may be because anticipatory grief is a way of preparing yourself for what will happen. 

Another common type of grief is ambiguous grief. This happens when a loss feels incomplete or undefined. Because your loved one is still alive, there is not a clear, single moment of loss to point to. Ambiguous grief feels complicated and messy. You may even feel guilty for grieving because your loved one is still with you.

These complex types of grief are very real and very normal. You may experience them intermittently throughout the experience of living with or caring for dementia. Recognizing and making room for your grief is one of the best ways to cope and move through it.

Dementia and the Stages of Grief

You’ve likely heard of the stages of grief before. Being informed about these helps you better recognize your feelings, step back, and take space to engage in self-care.

While we speak of grief as having stages, the reality is not always clear-cut or predictable. You may revisit certain ideas again and again, or in an unexpected order. It’s also impossible to know how long each individual may take to work through their grief. What one person may process in weeks could take another person months or even years.

The stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, guilt, sadness, and acceptance. It’s particularly important for caregiving family members to be aware of denial, anger, and guilt.

Grief Pitfalls for Caregivers

Denial is a way in which you may distance yourself from painful feelings of loss. While it is a normal, important part of the grieving process, caregivers must pay close attention to avoid clouding of their judgement. Denial about new or worsening symptoms of dementia can lead to costly and sometimes tragic delays in treatment. 

Many carers also struggle with anger. Often, anger is triggered by frustration when a parent or spouse can’t meet expectations based on their past abilities. Or you may feel angry at friends or family members whose grief does not mirror yours, or who aren’t directly involved in caregiving. 

When you become angry, give yourself space to breathe, rest, and safely express your feelings, such as journaling, speaking with a counselor, or physical exercise. Remember that your anger is a normal part of grieving. This helps prevent outbursts that could be harmful to relationships or caregiving goals.

Finally, when caring for an ailing family member, guilt can be treacherous. Many carers, especially those caring for a spouse or parent, feel guilt about the idea of taking a break or using respite. Any tiny mistake or lapse in caregiving can open the door to painful guilt.

You may also feel guilt as dementia progresses beyond your ability to manage. You may feel a responsibility to provide care that does not match your level of training or availability. Or, you may worry that seeking professional help means that you have failed your parent in some way.

Remember that dementia is a serious disease. There comes a point for most families when the reality of dementia demands more than their personal ability to provide care. In the same way that you would not expect to provide all care for other serious illness, such as cancer, there is no shame or failure in seeking professional nursing care for dementia.

Cycles of Grieving

Often, families revisit the same kinds of grief repeatedly as dementia progresses. With each new stage of cognitive decline, there are also new losses to deal with.  As memories, physical ability, and independence dwindle, families often feel that they have to say goodbye to their loved one more than once. Each new loss triggers the grief process in a new way.

If you find that you are revisiting the different stages of grief more than once, remind yourself that this is okay. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and each stage of dementia may feel like it brings you back to where you started. Allowing yourself the space to feel and express these emotions can help. 

Are you coping with a new dementia diagnosis in a loved one, or providing care at home for a senior with dementia? Click here now to learn about our senior care support groups and other resources for families and caregivers like you.

 

Activities for Seniors With Dementia

As dementia progresses, many activities and hobbies may become too difficult or frustrating for a person to continue. But that doesn’t mean that seniors with dementia should be left to sit and do nothing. Providing regular access to enjoyable pastimes is an important part of successful dementia care. 

If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, you should know that enrichment tasks not only help prevent boredom but provide therapeutic value as well. Engagement with something that feels satisfying helps reduce anxiety, depression, anger, and agitation. In some cases it can even reduce confusion and sundowning. Even though activities for seniors with dementia may look different, they are invaluable.

Look for activities that provide interest without a high risk of failure or frustration. This may mean different things for different people, but we’ve selected a list of ideas to start with.

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Helping Around the House

Research suggests that seniors who feel they are making a contribution to their environment have higher quality of life than those who don’t. Performing simple household tasks can help a person with dementia feel that they are contributing, or allow them to relive memories of caring for their families. 

Don’t focus on doing things the “right” way. Rather, provide opportunities to go through a process that feels meaningful to your loved one. These activities often provide a range of textures that are therapeutic to explore as well. Examples may include:

  • Folding laundry like dish cloths or t-shirts
  • Sorting mixed ribbons, fabric scraps, or buttons
  • Screwing and unscrewing hardware from a board
  • Caring for houseplants (watering, dusting, wiping, trimming dead foliage, etc.)
  • Arranging live or silk flowers
  • Measuring ingredients for baking
  • Polishing and sorting silverware
  • Washing windows
  • Dusting
  • Cutting out or organizing coupons

Playing Games

Games are an enjoyable pastime for everyone. Many games are still fun for seniors with dementia. Avoid games that require a lot of math or strategic reasoning that may cause stress. 

Not only do games provide social stimulation, many board games offer therapeutic benefits. These benefits include practice with sorting, matching, short-term memory activities, pattern recognition, sequencing, and more. Games like these are satisfying and stimulating, and can help slow the pace of cognitive decline when played regularly. 

  • Simple board games like Chutes and Ladders, Life, or checkers
  • Matching card games, such as solitaire or go fish
  • Jigsaw puzzles or photo puzzles
  • Exploring with pattern blocks such as tangrams 
  • Word games such as word search or large print crossword puzzles

Creative Expression

Even if your loved one was not previously interested in arts or crafts, creative expression is incredibly important for brain health. Arts and crafts activities for seniors with dementia should not be too structured or goal-oriented, as this can cause stress and anxiety. Instead, focus on the process more than the outcome. Non-verbal forms of self-expression take on a new dimension and importance as spoken communication grows more difficult.

Exploring with colors, textures, and even smells also provides mental stimulation that can stir up old memories and increase cognitive function. Try many different varieties of creative expression and look for those that elicit a positive response.

  • Writing or drawing in a journal
  • Cutting and pasting pictures or words from magazines
  • Modeling with clay or play-dough
  • Painting with watercolor or acrylic paints
  • Drawing with markers or colored pencils
  • Coloring books

Try New Things Regularly

As dementia progresses, it can cause changes not only in memory but in mental processing, communication, and even personality. Sometimes, families are surprised to find that their loved one enjoys activities now that they never used to. 

Don’t be afraid to try new things, or to revisit activities that previously didn’t “click.” Memory often relies on cues and triggers. A color, a smell, a texture, a song, or even a muscle memory can all stimulate recollections and bring back ideas and memories that may have seemed lost. 

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia and looking for additional help and support? Click here to read about our support groups and other resources for families dealing with a dementia diagnosis.

The Top 3 Fears About Assisted Living

Just like any other big life change, a move to senior living can be scary and hard to imagine. Stepping out into the unknown is hard for all of us. Aging, with all its challenges, makes it especially difficult. It’s not surprising if you’re having some fears about assisted living. We’d like to help dispel some of the worry by talking about the top three fears that we hear about most often from seniors considering assisted living.

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Fear #1: Will I Lose My Independence?

The “assisted” in assisted living feels like a loaded word for many seniors. A little assistance is good; in fact, it’s great. Giving up the stress and hassle of home maintenance or cooking, having someone there to help you get to the bathroom at night without falling down, or an extra set of eyes on your daily pills to make sure you keep them straight–it all sounds just fine. But some seniors worry it won’t stop there. Does assisted living really mean that you’re giving up control over your life?

On the contrary, assisted living is about restoring independence, not taking it away. Seniors who go without the help that they need often end up trapped and limited. Mobility problems, driving issues, and the rest make it hard to live like you used to. In assisted living, you get as much help as you want or need, not more. And, when the difficult things are handled for you, you can focus on friends, family, hobbies, or anything else that has been getting harder.

Fear #2: Will Assisted Living be Depressing?

Isolation is another great fear for all of us as we age. In previous generations, nursing homes had a bad reputation and often seemed like places where the elderly went to be forgotten and ignored.  

Fortunately, assisted living is not the same as a nursing home. Many seniors who move into assisted living find that rather than being lonely, they are more socially engaged than they have been in years. How could you not be? With the option to share meals every day, take classes together, and visit without even having to go outside unless you want to, keeping your social calendar full has never been easier. 

With opportunities for entertainment and enrichment available throughout each day, there’s no worry about being bored or left to yourself. In fact, many seniors find their mental well-being improves after a move to assisted living.

Fear #3: Is It More Expense Than it’s Worth?

It’s true that assisted living has a price tag that can make some folks nervous. But remember that the cost of assisted living represents nearly 100% of all your living expenses, including professional caregivers. Add up the costs of owning or renting a home, groceries, utilities, car maintenance and so on. When you combine these with the cost of full-time home health care, you may find that assisted living may actually cost less than staying home.

This doesn’t even take into account the price of the additional amenities available in assisted living, from hair salons to health and fitness and more. 

Still feeling like there are too many unknowns to make a decision? Why not come visit? Click here to schedule a virtual tour today and see for yourself.

 

How to Talk to Your Family About Memory Care

After a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in a loved one, families sometimes resist the idea of memory care. In the beginning, dementia can feel manageable at home. But eventually, in most cases, the time will come for professional help. Learning how to talk to your family about memory care and plan for the future is the first step of a good dementia treatment plan.

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What is Memory Care?

Memory care is the name for a type of assisted living especially for seniors with dementia. Like all assisted living, memory care aims to provide the greatest possible independence and safety. However, we recognize that as dementia progresses, safety requires supervision and intervention.

A memory care residence should feel like home; one structured specially to support brain health and cognitive function. The result is a living space in which every item can have therapeutic value.

We staff this carefully prepared environment with aides and nurses specially trained in dementia care. This means that no matter what happens throughout the day, each resident always has access to caregivers who understand their unique needs.

We’ve even re-imagined simple  daily activities and meals in therapeutic ways, like adjusting recipes to reduce choking risks and improve nutrition. Residents participate in a schedule of exercise and activities that stimulate the brain and strengthen cognitive function.

Memory care also has different security than other senior living options. This way residents may freely walk and explore their environment without risk of getting lost or hurt.

How to Talk to Your Family About Memory Care

Once you understand what memory care does, you can easily see why it’s so important. In its early stages, dementia care can happen at home. But as the condition progresses, the time, skill, and attention required of caregivers grows. In most cases, dementia will eventually require full-time residential care.

It’s wise for families to work together and plan ahead about dementia care as soon as there is a diagnosis. You can lead the way by helping to break any stigma or taboo that your family members might be feeling. Talking about dementia and memory care as normal things can help make it easier to discuss and plan together.

Ask questions that will help your family think about the future and what they hope for. Be realistic about what you can expect from yourself and each family member. Know what you can do and commit to no more that. Many families begin with wonderful and loving good intentions but can end up frustrated, exhausted, or trying to provide more than their training or ability allows.

Why to Talk to Your Family About Memory Care Now

You may feel like these are questions that can be answered later, or that it’s better to plan as you go. Many families do take this approach. Unfortunately, because dementia is unpredictable, lack of planning often leads to serious problems.

Families that are unprepared for the realities of memory care get overwhelmed more easily. They are more likely to experience burnout, a condition that causes caregivers to experience depression, anger, anxiety, and withdrawal.  And their loved ones are more likely to suffer complications that result from inexperience, such as infections.

When families don’t plan ahead, they are also more likely to put their loved one through a rushed or last-minute move. This is painful for any elderly person, who can struggle to adjust to sudden changes. This is especially damaging and difficult when dementia is involved.

Planning ahead can help prevent these problems. Know what to expect for the specific diagnosis your loved one has received. Learn what symptoms will tell you that it is time to begin transitioning to memory care. The best way to provide what your loved one needs in a timely way is to have a plan before they need it.

Does your mom or dad need memory care? Are you looking for caregiver support or respite services? We can help. Click here to contact us today and speak with an expert about where to go from here.

Recognizing UTIs in the Elderly and Why it’s Important

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is the most common type of bacterial infection that affects the elderly. One in ten men over 65 will deal with a UTI, and one in five women over 65 will also. While these infections begin in the bladder, when left untreated they can spread to the kidneys and beyond, leading to serious health complications. In the elderly, these infections may not look like you expect and can be easy to miss. So, how do you recognize a urinary tract infection in a senior, and what should you do about it?

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What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

A urinary tract infection begins when too much bacteria grows inside the urethra (the tube through which urine passes out of the body) or the bladder. Often, this bacteria is introduced from outside the body. Bacteria can come from poor hygiene like infrequent washing, incomplete wiping, or wearing a soiled adult diaper for too long. Sometimes, the bacteria is already inside the body and begins to grow when the bladder is not completely emptied or emptied often enough.

As more bacteria grows, the infection can spread. Sometimes this happens quickly, and an infection that was quite small to begin with can move from the bladder to the kidneys and beyond before you even notice it’s there.

Why are UTIs Different For Seniors?

If you’ve ever had a UTI, you probably recall the symptoms. In younger adults, a UTI often causes pelvic pain, fever, and sense of an urgent need to urinate. Urine may be cloudy or bloody, and often has a strong odor.

In older adults, some of these common symptoms may not be as noticeable. As we age, our immune systems change and often grow weaker. Because of this, many seniors with urinary tract infections do not have a fever.

Another age-related change that can mask a urinary tract infection is bladder weakness. Many seniors already experience some mild incontinence, difficulty, or urgency when their bladder is full. Because this is a normal part of their experience, they may not recognize when there has been a change related to an infection.

All of these difficulties grow if a senior is experiencing any type of age-related cognitive decline, such as dementia. Cognitive decline makes it harder both to notice UTI symptoms and to express that they are happening.

The Biggest Symptom of UTI in a Senior that You Need to Know

For many seniors, the biggest symptom of a urinary tract infection is a behavioral change. This can look like confusion, lethargy, falling or balance problems, agitation, decreased appetite, or even hallucinations. In fact, these changes can be so severe that they can be misdiagnosed as dementia.

If your parent or senior loved one has suddenly developed any of these symptoms, it’s important to get them to the doctor as soon as possible. Urinary tract infections in seniors can lead to life-threatening complications, including permanent kidney damage, or a major infection in the blood known as sepsis.

In seniors who already have a dementia diagnosis, an untreated UTI can speed up cognitive decline. It’s important not to assume that sudden new or worsening confusion is “just” dementia getting worse.

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections in Seniors

There is no way to guarantee that your mom or dad will never contract a UTI. However, these simple measures can help lower the overall risk:

  • Emptying the bladder frequently, no “holding it”
  • Wiping from back to front
  • Staying well-hydrated at all times
  • Changing incontinence briefs often throughout the day
  • Showering rather than bathing
  • For indwelling catheters, clean daily with soap and water as instructed by a doctor

Maintaining urinary tract health is a crucial part of health and well-being for seniors. This is especially important with any kind of condition that raises the risk of UTI, like bladder or bowel incontinence, dementia, catheterization, or immune system compromise.

Are you a home caregiver for a senior with dementia or other cognitive decline? You might like to meet with one of our support groups for caregivers. Click here to learn more or reach out today for information and help.

Discussing Assisted Living With Your Family

After the birds and the bees, “the talk” about assisted living can be one of the most difficult conversations that kids have with their parents. Talking to your parents about assisted living is stressful. It’s scary. It can make you feel guilty and it can make them feel hurt. But, it has to be done, and it’s better not to put it off. Here are some tips and advice for successfully discussing assisted living with your family.

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Conversation Tips for Talking About Assisted Living

The hardest part of discussing assisted living is introducing the topic for the first time. Ideally, bring it up early, when the pressure is low. Ask questions that invite conversation and help you understand each other. If it gets too upsetting, back off and regroup. By having regular, light chats rather than a high-stakes confrontation, you can help make assisted living a normal and comfortable topic.

Some questions you can ask to help start conversations about assisted living include:

  • How safe do you feel living at home?
  • Is it getting hard to keep up with home maintenance?
  • Are you worrying about crime rates in your neighborhood?
  • Do you ever wish that you lived near more people your own age?
  • Do you find it difficult to get around these days?
  • Would you be less stressed if you had help handling daily tasks?

Understanding your parents’ fears, stresses, and concerns can help you pinpoint not only where they most need assistance but also where they may be failing to notice their own needs. Affirming that they are heard and understood gives you credibility when emotionally difficult topics come up.

Know What Your Parents Really Need

When you chat or visit with your parents, be observant. As we age, we may or may not notice ways in which our capacity to care for ourselves is slipping. Knowing where your parents are at-risk can help you make the case for assisted living both to them and to other family members who feel invested in the decision.

Take some time to think about and note the following:

  • Physical Well-Being: Is their hygiene suffering? Do their clothes seem disheveled or unkempt? Do they have injuries from falls or small accidents?
  • Home Safety and Care: Is the fridge newly empty or full of expired food? Are there suddenly dust or cobwebs in a house that used to be spotless? Are small repairs starting to add up instead of being addressed right away?
  • Memory and Cognition: Do you notice a parent asking the same question several times even though you’ve answered? Are important items being misplaced or left behind? Have you observed unusual changes in personality or mood?

Keep a special eye out for things that might be dangerous to your parents if not addressed. Mention them thoughtfully and compassionately. Bring them up with the family doctor if you’re unsure whether there is a problem.

Be Compassionate When Discussing Assisted Living

Remember that none of these things should ever be used to attack your parents or make them feel badly. Instead, think of them as tools for making a clear case that there is a better option than what they currently have.

When talking with your family about assisted living, keep the following guidelines in mind:

  • Don’t act like the decision is already made
  • Be calm and patient
  • Address concerns or anxieties realistically and respectfully
  • Involve a mediator or support person if needed, such as a doctor or spiritual adviser

Many seniors feel afraid that assisted living means being abandoned. They may feel shame or embarrassment about being unable to care for themselves or having to rely on their children. These feelings are normal but don’t necessarily mean that assisted living is the wrong choice.

Be Realistic About Your Own Caregiving Ability

If you know that you are not able to give your parents the care that they need, that’s ok. Family caregiving is a demanding job. It puts a strain on personal relationships, jobs, and home life.

Make a realistic assessment of your own capacity to care for your parents, based on what you have observed about their desires and needs and what you know about your own life. If you can’t give them what they deserve, it’s ok to say so. Let your parents know that for you, assisted living is not about abandonment but about love.

It might be painful to talk about your limitations and theirs. But with openness, honesty, and patience, your family can work together to agree on the best path.

 

Are you and your family considering assisted living for a parent or other loved one? Contact us today for information, help, and support, or to schedule a virtual tour.

What is Caregiver Burnout?

Have you ever heard of caregiver burnout? When you take on the commitment of caring for a loved one, burnout is a serious concern to watch out for. But what is caregiver burnout, and how can you prevent it?

Whether it’s a spouse, a parent, or another family member, many of us at some point in our lives will care for an elderly loved one at home. Family members, especially adult daughters and granddaughters, are a foundational part of senior care in America.

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Caregiver Burnout Comes From Caring

Most of us expect that children will look after their parents when the time comes. But caregiving takes a toll, even for the most willing carer. The adult child of a senior parent may have to juggle kids, career, marriage, and more. There’s a house to maintain–maybe two, if mom or dad is still living at home. To top it all off there are the financial and medical worries that suddenly need to be addressed.

No matter how much we love someone, over time all the stresses that come with caregiving can add up. In fact, they add up faster when love is involved. The strong emotions that bond you to your mom or dad make caregiving a high-stakes activity.

When combined with a lifestyle that doesn’t include healthy coping and self-care, stress and exhaustion just keep accumulating. Eventually this can lead to caregiver burnout.

So, What is Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout is a stress-related condition that happens when long-term caregiving for an ill or elderly person leads to exhaustion. This exhaustion can be physical, mental, emotional, or a combination of all three. Without relief, caregivers can become more and more overwhelmed. They often feel alone, unappreciated, or even unable to continue without help.

It’s not a rare problem. One study found that 40% of home caregivers reported levels of stress that put them at risk of burnout.

The symptoms of caregiver burnout can vary. However, they often include depression, irritability, and emotional withdrawal. Many burned-out carers say they struggle to keep giving the kind of care that used to be easy for them. Over time, caregiver burnout can limit a person’s ability to look after their loved one. In extreme cases, it can even lead to elder abuse.

People experiencing burnout begin to manage the strain of caregiving by emotionally shutting down. Unfortunately, shutting down may help reduce stress but it also reduces empathy, patience, and compassion.

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

Fortunately, caregiver burnout is preventable. These proactive steps for stress management and support can help reduce the risk of burnout.

  • Take breaks and use respite. Whether it’s a friend, an aide, or a residential respite program, putting down the burden of caregiving occasionally and taking time off can help reduce the risk of emotional shutdown.
  • Take care of your body. Eating right, sleeping well, exercising, and taking time for rest and relaxation all help offset the stress that can overwhelm you.
  • Find a support group. While it may not always feel like it, you’re not alone. Talking your situation through with others in similar places can give you the support you need to keep going.
  • Know what to expect. Many seniors with conditions that require care do fine at home. However, some things will get worse with time and may require assisted living or skilled nursing care. Know what to expect and have a plan to prevent getting in over your head.

What are the Signs of Caregiver Burnout?

You may be reading this and wondering if caregiver burnout is already affecting you. If so, don’t worry; with help and support, caregiver burnout can be reversed. Know the warning signs of caregiver burnout so that you know when to take action and seek help.

  • Anger or frustration with your parent or spouse
  • Anxiety
  • Denial about the seriousness of your parent or spouse’s condition
  • Feelings of sadness or depression
  • Fatigue or exhaustion that interferes with caregiving tasks or daily life
  • New health problems like getting sick more often
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • Trouble sleeping
  • A feeling that you no longer enjoy the friends or activities that you used to

Caring for a frail or ailing loved one may be the hardest job you will ever do. You may feel that it isn’t right to take time or space for yourself when someone depends on you. However as a caregiver, remember that self-care is a key component of caregiving. If your own health suffers, everyone you care for will suffer in turn.

Are you concerned about burnout and looking for help? Contact us today to learn more about respite care, support groups, and care planning for your loved one.