Caregiver stress and burnout

Caregiver stress and burnout is real. Caring for a sick or elderly loved one is a 24/7 job, with no sick days and no vacation days. It often requires a crash course in navigating the health care system, dealing with insurance companies, and communicating with doctors to effectively advocate for the patient. All the while, you may be worried about “when the other shoe will drop” or have a general sense of anxiety about the future. In some families, a particular person has taken on the role— or been saddled with the role— of caregiving for everyone and managing almost everything. I have spent countless hours counseling family caregivers that are maxed out, physically and emotionally. However, they wouldn’t have it any other way, because of their devotion to their loved one.

I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to do this alone. Caregivers need special care, too. You need an outlet for your stress, a place to go to confide your worries, and a neutral party outside of your family dynamics to talk to. Perhaps it feels natural for you to care for an elderly parent, or perhaps it’s traumatic for you to see a parent or spouse so diminished. We can talk about that. I can help you carve out some space for self-care so you do not become completely overwhelmed, burned out, or resentful of your role.

Don’t wait until you become sick yourself to take time to care for yourself. An hour for yourself every week or two can provide a tremendous sense of relief for family caregivers and a much-needed outlet. If leaving the house feels impossible sometimes, we can also use Doxy.me to connect for an online session.