Taking care of an elderly loved one is a full time job that can quickly exhaust you. Even if you have only been a caregiver for short time it is likely you are already experiencing some of the signs of caregiver burnout. It is important that you ensure that you give yourself the needed breaks and watch out for caregiver burnout before the feeling intensifies, causes functional impairment and leads to changes in mood. Caregiver.com lists seven common signs of caregiver burnout, see the full list on their website. 

  • You don’t feel like seeing or talking to anyone. If all of a sudden you feel like you no longer want to be social with friends or family this is a sign you may be burning out.
  • You no longer find interest in things that you used to enjoy. Anhedonia is a loss of experiencing pleasure in activities you used to find enjoyable. It is an early sign of depression and may mean you need a break from caregiving.
  • You have had a recent significant change in appetite. A large increase or decrease in appetite can be a telltale sign that you are experiencing extreme levels of stress.
  • You have had a recent significant change in your sleep patterns. Stress can wreak havoc on your sleep habits. If you’re oversleeping or under sleeping it can be your body telling you that you need a break from the stress of caregiving.

If you are experiencing any one of these signs of caregiver burnout you may need a break from caregiving. Respite Care is one option for those who are experiencing caregiver burnout. Respite Care is when someone temporarily has their loved one cared for by a nursing home in order to give some short term relief to care givers.  Sprain Brook Manor offers Respite Care in Westchester for those in the tristate area who need a break from caregiving. Our facility offers the best in skilled nursing care and short term care for the aging community in the tristate area and beyond.   This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact Us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.