For many, providing care for aging parents brings a great deal of emotional and physical exhaustion. This can bring about feelings of sadness, worry, and other draining emotions. Without proper coping mechanisms in place to prevent or manage these feelings, caregivers may experience compassion fatigue, which could lead to burnout if left unchecked.
What is Compassion Fatigue in Caregivers?
Compassion fatigue is an emotional state of exhaustion caused by prolonged caregiving for family members or clients. It can often be hard to recognize and distinguish between regular stress and burnout. However, there are a few symptoms to look for, including:
- Feeling overwhelmed with emotion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Withdrawing from loved ones or activities that you once enjoyed
- Loss of interest in the job at hand
- Physical manifestations such as headaches and stomachaches
Compassion fatigue in caregivers often originates from the high amount of stress associated with providing compassion while dealing with an elderly loved one. You may feel deep empathy and compassion for the challenges that your loved one has to face, but it can still prove overwhelming for you emotionally, too.
How Compassion Fatigue Can Lead to Burnout
When left untreated, compassion fatigue can eventually lead to burnout. Burnout occurs when you have reached a level of chronic mental and physical exhaustion, caused by excessive and prolonged stress.
Signs of burnout can include:
- increasing apathy toward the tasks at hand
- lack of energy or motivation
- reduced performance levels
- impaired concentration skills
Left untreated for too long, burnout can also cause depression and other lasting impacts on your overall well-being. A caregiver suffering from high levels of burnout may struggle to provide care to anyone else, including senior loved ones.
Strategies for Avoiding Compassion Fatigue
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid compassion fatigue and help prevent burnout. Setting boundaries can be a great first step to taking better care of yourself. It is important for caregivers to communicate their needs and expectations with family members or loved ones in order to ensure that everyone's needs are being met. Remember, it's not just about caring for your loved one. You need to have clear boundaries around types of care you do not want to handle or specific things you may need help with. You may also need to set boundaries around things and events that are important to you.
In addition, it is essential that you find time for self-care. This could include relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga, spending time doing something fun with friends or family, treating yourself to small indulgences, and more. Practicing self-care also can involve talking openly about your feelings and concerns with supportive individuals who understand what you are going through.
Finally, make sure you are taking advantage of the resources that are available to you. You may, for example, need to take advantage of respite care opportunities or let other friends and family members take care of your loved one for a period of time so that you can have time to yourself.
Senior Helpers Can Assist
If you find yourself dealing with a high degree of compassion fatigue, you need help sooner, rather than later. At Senior Helpers Greater San Antonio, we offer assistance for seniors in the San Antonio, Helotes, Alamo Heights, Kerrville, Castroville, Converse, Floresville, La Vernia, Von Ormy, and Poteet areas. We can offer respite care services, in-home care, post-hospital care, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of having our team on your side.