Understanding Caregiver Burnout in Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines

November is National Family Caregiver Month. A time to celebrate the millions of unpaid family caregivers taking care of their loved ones.

What is National Family Caregiver Month?

This is a time to pause and recognize the 60+ million family caregivers across the US. Those who devote their time, energy, and love to supporting a loved one in need of care. The leader of this initiative is the Caregiver Action Network. They strive to highlight caregiver challenges, celebrate their dedication, and connect them with resources they need.

Who is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is an individual who provides either physical or psychological care to someone else. They help others who aren’t help themselves on their own due to illness, injury, declining health, or an underlying medical condition.

What is Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout occurs when the demands of caring for someone else lead to overwhelming physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can manifest as fatigue, anxiety, and/or depression. To help mitigate the risk of burnout, consider engaging in respite care, joining a support group, or seeking guidance from a mental health professional. This is not an uncommon occurrence, as more than 60% of caregivers report experiencing symptoms of burnout.

What Causes Caregiver Burnout?

Caregiver burnout occurs when you spend so much time, energy, and resources caring for others that you inadvertently overlook your own needs. Neglecting your physical, emotional, and mental health can significantly affect your overall well-being and hinder your ability to manage your personal responsibilities effectively.

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

There are many strategies to help prevent caregiver burnout. These include finding someone you trust to speak about your feelings or frustrations, setting realistic goals, learning more about the condition your loved one has, taking care of yourself, eating well, accepting your feelings, or trying respite care.

What is Respite Care?

If you haven’t explored home care services yet, starting with Respite Care can be a great choice. A caregiver from Griswold can lend a helping hand, giving primary caregivers the valuable opportunity to take a breather. With this support, you can reconnect with friends, tackle personal tasks, hit the gym, catch up on work, or even take that much-needed vacation.

Respite care serves as an effective way to combat caregiver burnout. Remember, taking a break is just as vital for your loved one as it is for you. By allowing someone else to step in temporarily, you can recharge your energy and revitalize your spirit.

Other Resources in Broward County to Help with Caregiver Burnout

The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County provides the TCARE (Tailored Caregiver Assessment & Referral Program) program. designed to support family members at risk for burnout. Caregivers are interviewed to identify stressors, and then a care plan is created to help them address the root causes of their burnout.

Memorial Healthcare System offers its Memorial CARES (Caregivers Access to Resources, Education, and Support) program. This is a multifaceted resource that provides family caregivers with the guidance and support they need when caring for a loved one with chronic and progressive illnesses.

Broward County’s Elderly Services offers free caregiver training and a support group. Learn from other participants who are coping with similar situations. Benefits include free workshops and training, learning new empowerment skills, connecting with other caregivers, and getting professional guidance.

How Can Griswold Help?

Respite Care provides a valuable opportunity to recharge, preventing burnout in the long run. Our dedicated referred-Caregivers can step in for a few hours each day, several times a week, or even for a few months when life gets particularly hectic. Many find that sharing the care of their aging loved ones enhances their patience, energy, and overall effectiveness as family caregivers.

If you’d like to explore your options further, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help you find the best solution for your needs.

License #: NR30211028