The role of family caregiver burnout in driving demand for professional services
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
Long hours, sleepless nights, physical labor and high-stakes responsibility. If you’re a family caregiver, you know exactly what that means.
These are a few of the reasons why caregiver burnout has become one of the largest factors that drive families toward residential care homes and professional care services.
Sounds bleak. But here’s what you need to know about family caregiver burnout and how it’s impacting American families today.
What’s in this article:
- What is family caregiver burnout?
- Why caregiver burnout is accelerating demand for professional services
- Warning signs that it’s time to get help
- How hiring professional caregivers can ease the burden on your family
- How to choose a quality care home for your family
What is family caregiver burnout?
Put simply, family caregiver burnout is the physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that results from months and years of providing care to a loved one.
Caregiving doesn’t just happen overnight. And neither does burnout. It creeps up slowly, worsening with each sleepless night and doctor’s visit.
In fact, did you know that over 63 million Americans are family caregivers right now? That’s according to a recent report from AARP.
That number has grown by almost 20 million people in just the last decade.
Those are some staggering statistics.
And while most family caregivers don’t have caregiving training, what they do have is passion. They want to take care of their loved ones. They want to do everything they can to keep them comfortable and healthy.
But when professional caregiving experience and expertise are thrown out the window, burnout is inevitable.
So what happens when caregivers reach their breaking point? They reach out for help.
And that help usually comes in the form of residential care homes.
Why caregiver burnout is accelerating demand for professional services
Caregiver burnout is a lot like a slow-moving dam waiting to burst.
Family members start out giving care because they want to help the person they love. And at first, it’s easy.
But as the needs of the person being cared for become more demanding, cracks start to form.
Let’s take a look at what happens:
Sleepless nights become the new normal. Caregivers start to feel the effects of not sleeping. They become rundown and their health begins to spiral. Work starts to suffer. They take time off to care for their loved ones, which strains finances. And because they’re always caring for their family members, they don’t have any time to spend with their spouse, kids, or friends.
As you can imagine, this snowballs rather quickly.
And while caregiver burnout might start out small, it’s common for family caregivers to experience everything on this list.
That’s not even mentioning the added stress of trying to coordinate medical appointments, manage medications and keep track of care equipment. All while holding down a full-time job.
So where does that leave families? Enter professional care homes.
Once families feel that they’ve hit their limit, they know it’s time to seek outside help.
Warning signs that it’s time to get help
Are you a family caregiver struggling to keep your head above water? Here are a few signs that it may be time to call in some reinforcements.
Look out for these things:
- Your health is suffering. If you find yourself constantly getting sick, it might be time to scale back on caregiving duties.
- You’re always tired. You can’t remember the last time you had a good night’s rest. Maybe it’s time to let a professional take over for a bit so you can recharge those batteries.
- You feel like you’re in over your head. Family caregiving is hard, and chances are you’re in way over your head. There’s no shame in that game. Let a professional caregiver take the reins for a while.
- You don’t have any “me time.” Between caring for your loved ones and your other obligations, you’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a few moments to yourself. It’s okay to ask for help so you can have some time alone.
These are just a few signs that it might be time to hire some professional help.
If any of these things sound familiar, consider contacting a local care home to learn more about their services and pricing.
Need some help in the Mid-South region? Check out the offerings of respite care in Memphis.
How hiring professional caregivers can ease the burden on your family
Professional care homes offer families exactly what they need. Care from trained professionals.
Caregivers at care homes take care of the day-to-day activities that family caregivers struggle with.
Here are a few things professional care staff can help with:
- Managing medications and doctor’s appointments
- Helping with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Providing around-the-clock care in a safe and caring environment
Care homes don’t just give you a break from caregiving. They also provide your loved ones with:
- Activities to keep them engaged
- Nutritious meals
- Social interaction with others
When a professional caregiver watches over your loved ones, everyone wins.
Your loved ones get 24/7 care from professionals. And you get a break from the stressful life of being a caregiver.
Feeling burnt out? Consider hiring professional care for your loved ones.
How to choose a quality care home for your family
You know your loved one needs help, but how do you know which care home is best for them?
Here are some things you should consider when looking for care:
- How many residents are there per caregiver? A lower resident-to-caregiver ratio means your loved ones will get more individual care and attention.
- How much training do the caregivers have? Does the home have caregivers that specialize in dementia care? Make sure you know what you’re getting when you choose a home.
- What is home like? Visit the care home in person so you can see how clean it is and how comfortable your loved ones will be.
- Does the home encourage family visits and engagement? Good care homes want you to be a part of your loved one’s life as much as possible.
- Check out online reviews for the care home. Other families can tell you a lot about how good of a job the home does caring for your loved ones.
If you take anything away from this article, let these be the things.
Find a care home with low ratios, skilled and experienced caregivers and a reputation for being one of the best in the business.
Take your time. Find the perfect home for your family member.
Wrapping things up
Family caregiver burnout is quickly becoming a nationwide problem. In fact, almost 80% of family caregivers experience burnout on a weekly or monthly basis.
That’s why families are turning to professional care homes for help.
Whether you live in the Mid-South or not, there’s probably a care home nearby that can help your family thrive.
If you or someone you know is experiencing caregiver burnout, don’t hesitate to reach out to a care home for more information on how they can help your family.