Help Preventing Caregiver Burnout in Baltimore

Caregivers in Baltimore find joy and fulfillment from their jobs. But pouring so much personal compassion into their work day after day can take a toll on energy levels. Dealing with caregiver burnout can be hard on both you and your loved one. If you can't take care of yourself, how can you take care of someone else? 

If you’re worried that you are heading toward caregiver burnout, here are some tips to avoid it. 

    1. Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Many caregivers feel like failures when they struggle to do everything by themselves. To avoid burnout, you don’t need to take care of someone all by yourself. 

Ask family and friends to come and help out. If you are taking care of your parents, you may have siblings who could help. If not, are there other relatives who could help out when you need it? What about friends? Does your loved one have people who could stay with them for a few hours so you can take a break and get some things done? 

    2. Look Into Other Options

Just because your loved one wishes to continue to live on their own doesn't mean that you can't get outside help. Senior companions will come in and check on your loved one while you are at work and help with cooking, cleaning, and personal care needs. You can even find someone to stay the night so that you can go home to your own bed. 

Respite care can also be beneficial. You may not need help all the time, but if you get busy at work or you just need a few days to yourself, you can hire someone on an as-needed basis to help you out. 

    3. Look Into Family Leave from Work

You may be eligible for family leave, which can take a lot of weight off of your shoulders. Instead of having to balance work, home, and caregiving, you can focus on your loved one’s care. Though you won't make as much money as you did when you were working, you will have more time to devote to caretaking. 

Taking care of a loved one can be very stressful. If you aren't careful, it can lead to serious caregiver burnout. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help. You don't have to do it all -- you can family and friends for help or look at some in-home care options in Baltimore. If you are struggling to do it all yourself, you don't have to. We are here for you and your loved one. Don't hesitate to contact us today.