Caregiver Burnout: What are the Signs & How Can We Help?

As senior movers in Royal Oak, we have seen a lot of caregiver burnout. As parents age, adult children can be put in the position of having to take on a caregiver role. In some cases, this role is minimal, with having to help with more physically demanding tasks, like cutting the grass, shoveling the snow, etc. However, in other cases, the responsibility becomes greater. Children are tasked with taking on a more full-time caregiver role when medical issues or physical limitations mean the parent can no longer live by themself or be left alone for long periods of time.

This scenario is becoming increasingly common, especially as people live longer and choose to age in place. According to AARP, 63 million Americans are caregivers, nearly a 45% increase in the last decade.

Do You Think You Will Need To Become A Caregiver For A Parent?

• Yes
• No

But how does this added responsibility affect the caregiver?

Often, the toll on the caregiver is overlooked. Family members who step into this role have busy lives - a family, a career, and households of their own. Adding the care of another person, who may need 24/7 care, can become emotionally and physically overwhelming.

As senior move managers, we often witness the toll that this can take. Many caregivers are put into this role without much notice – often after a fall or medical emergency. Suddenly, they are thrown into a situation they do not know how to navigate. It’s not that they don’t want to help - it’s that the world we live in does not make it easy. Time, resources, and support are in short supply, making it extremely challenging.

So how can you tell when a caregiver is struggling?

Here are some key signs of caregiver burnout to look out for:

• Exhaustion – Feeling constantly tired, having no energy, even after sleeping, is a common sign. Caregivers may feel emotionally, mentally, and physically drained.

• Negative mood changes – Feeling increased frustration, anger, sadness, or anxiety can develop as stress builds.

• Social withdrawal – Pulling away from friends, family, and the activities they once enjoyed.

• Sleep problems – Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much can signal emotional overload.

• Weight and appetite changes – Increase or decrease in eating often linked to stress or depression.

• Depressed – Feeling sad and negative with no hope of getting out of the situation.

• Neglecting personal health – Skipping doctor appointments and ignoring your own personal health needs.

• Resentment or guilt – Feeling guilty for wanting a break or resentful about the responsibilities they’ve taken on.

  
  

Being aware of the signs of caregiver burnout is the first step in helping. But what else can we do to support caregivers?

Here are some ways to offer support:

• Offer to help – Helping with running errands, preparing a meal, or washing the laundry can be an immense help.

• Suggest taking a break – Provide a gentle reminder that it is okay to take a break and take time for their themselves. Taking an evening off to go do something fun or just taking a walk can be a much-needed reprieve.

• Listen – Simply being there to listen to them vent, cry, or just talk through their feelings, is extremely valuable.

• Provide helpful resources – Doing some research for them to point them toward local support groups, senior services, or counseling can be extremely helpful. Often, caregivers don’t have the time to search for these resources.

• Check in regularly – A quick call or text can go a long way in reminding someone they’re not alone.

• Encourage self-care – Ensure they are putting their health first and remind them to keep up on their own doctor appointments. Encourage them to do something just for themselves—whether it’s getting a massage, going to the gym, or visiting a salon.

  
  

Additionally, this article emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for the possibility of becoming a caregiver, offering valuable information to help you prepare should you ever find yourself in that unexpected role.

Caregivers give so much of themselves, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Helping them feel seen, supported, and appreciated can make a lasting difference.

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Kristyn Drury is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, an Associate Broker, a Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Kristyn loves working with senior clients and their families to help them transition and meet their relocation goals.

Nicole Hyman is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, a Realtor, a NASMM Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Nicole enjoys working closely with seniors and their families to create a stress-free transition whether moving, downsizing or just decluttering.

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Real T Simplistic Senior Move Managers is a team of experts helping seniors and their families to make "Thoughtful Moves." because moving a lifetime is always more than just a move. Real T assists with every aspect of senior transitions, from decluttering and rearranging to age in place, to downsizing or relocating to a smaller home or assisted living community.

Real T prepares a personal moving plan for each client, their home and their possessions. Real T is also uniquely able to help with selling the family home, and buying or leasing a new place -- taking care of marketing the home, locating the best new home and all of the paperwork details in between. Relax. You're in the right place. We've got this.

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