Avoiding Burnout for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers

If you love someone who is dealing with dementia-related memory loss, you know the struggle between the stress and blessings that come with caring for a family member.

Being there for this journey can cause exhaustion on every level: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. That exhaustion can trickle down to other areas of your life if it isn’t addressed effectively. What can you do when you are feeling burnout? Here are some ideas:

Ask for help when you need it.

Don’t feel like a failure if you ask for help. Your labor of love caring for someone with memory issues is an enormous undertaking. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and it’s perfectly fine to hire outside help with caregiving. Give yourself a break and know that you are doing the best you can. Be honest with yourself and know what your limitations are. No one person can do everything.

Take advantage of respite care services.

A respite care worker or a respite stay at a senior community allows a family member to take a break from caregiving services while an experienced professional takes care of your loved one.

At-home respite care involves a caregiver coming to your home, sometimes for a few hours to allow you to run errands, or even as a live-in temporary caregiver, to give you the opportunity to travel or go on vacation. These services are available through Providence at Home, but you can also check with your local senior service organization for an exhaustive list of providers.

We also offer respite care at Victorian Village, which gives your family member an all-inclusive stay in a private room, with all the assistance they need. These stays typically last at least a week, and you can take a worry-free trip, enjoy a quiet break, or tend to responsibilities out of town, and be refreshed to resume caregiver duties when you come back.

Find supportive people to talk to.

That could mean talking with a personal therapist, and you may want to find one that deals specifically with family stressors. Another helpful option would be to find a caregiver support group. Your local senior service organization or place of worship may host a group, or you could just start one with friends who are in similar situations.

It’s also important to have someone who you can lean on who will validate your feelings and frustrations as you take on caregiving duties.

If you’ve ever flown on a plane, you know the instructions: in an emergency, put your mask on first and then help the people around you. It’s the same in all areas of life. A rested caregiver will be more effective than a tired, exhausted, guilt-ridden caregiver. So take care of yourself, making you the best version of yourself to take care of your family member.