By Christopher Rodriguez | Thoughts on Innovation
For more than 63 million Americans, daily life includes providing ongoing care for adult or minor family members with a medical condition or disability. This extraordinary act of service provides much needed support for a loved one, but it can also lead family caregivers to put their own wellbeing to the side, leading to burnout effecting physical and mental health.
Caregiver burnout is the physical, mental, and emotional fatigue someone experiences when providing long-term care for another person. Often stemming from a combination of factors, including emotional strain, financial burdens, and the demands of providing care, burnout compromises the ability to care for oneself, provide care for their loved one, and can affect the overall quality of life.
According to AARP’s report, ‘Caregiving in the U.S. 2025,’ nearly half of all caregivers have reported at least one negative financial impact due to their responsibilities, including using up current savings, taking on more debt, or delaying retirement due to caregiving. When looking at the physical effects of caregiving, one in five caregivers report their health as fair or poor, with 64-percent of all caregivers reporting emotional stress and 45-percent reporting physical strain.
Since September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, it is a great time to learn the signs of caregiver burnout and form a system for checking in with yourself and others before things can get overwhelming. Some signs of caregiver burnout can include:
- •Emotional exhaustion
- •Increase stress or anxiety
- •Loss of interest in activities
- •Neglecting personal needs
- •Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
Early recognition of these signs in yourself or someone you know can open opportunities to address the areas of difficulty and work together with friends, family, and professionals to create a plan of action that helps lighten the caregiving load. Consider the following tips to set yourself up for success:
Check in with yourself. Four questions can help you determine how your day went and evaluate what you might need to change in the next day’s routine:
- •Did I get 7-8 hours of sleep last night?
- •Did I eat 3 meals today?
- •Did I spend time on an activity I enjoy?
- •Did I spend time with someone other than the person I care for?
Prioritize self-care. Caring for a loved one can take your sight off your own health. Make time for activities that help you relax, such as exercise, reading, meditation, or engaging in hobbies to help maintain a sense of self while also providing care.
Practice self-compassion. Focus on how you choose to react to situations rather than how others react. Celebrate the small victories, acknowledge your effort, and give yourself grace during difficult moments.
Get organized. Whether it is organizing your routine or your physical space, introducing structure and order in your life is a great defense against stressors and gain back a sense of control.
Ask for help. Caregiving does not have to fall on just one person. Communicate with family about your loved one’s needs or reach out to friends for additional support. Remember, other people usually want to help and even taking small tasks like grocery shopping and meal preparation off your to-do list can make a world of difference.
Additionally, it’s important to tap into your local community to find resources that can provide vital services for you and your loved one. Professional help through a therapist or counselor as well as support groups through local organizations can provide valuable coping strategies and support. Many organizations also provide services such as advocacy, home modification, respite and socialization opportunities, and more.
For Ability360, empowering people with disabilities and their families has been a paramount priority for more than 40 years.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Rodriguez is president & CEO of Ability360.
