Caregiver fatigue, also known as ‘caregiver burnout’, is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion that can occur when someone spends a long time caring for a loved one who is ill, disabled, aging or has special needs.
Common signs include:
- Feeling constantly tired (“used up”), even after resting
- Stress, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability, anger, or mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Feeling isolated or resentful
- Neglecting your own health and needs
- Things that once brought you joy don’t seem as meaningful
Caregiver fatigue can develop gradually, especially from prolonged physical, mental and emotional stress while providing ongoing care.
What can help:
- Practice targeted self-care
- Taking regular breaks & find time to just breath
- Maintain healthy sleep, exercise, and nutrition habits
- Finding time for hobbies and interests
- Utilizing outside help
- Asking family or friends for help
- Delegating tasks to others
- Accepting help when offered
- Speak with your veterinary team
- Setting realistic expectations and boundaries
- Create small manageable goals
- Come up with do-able daily possibilities
- Talking with a counselor, if stress becomes overwhelming
- Try to automate tasks on your to-do list
- Using an on-line pharmacy and have medications delivered
- Order groceries on-line and have them delivered
- Using a landscaping company to maintain outside of the house
If caregiver fatigue becomes severe, it can contribute to conditions such as depression, anxiety, or chronic health problems. Follow this link here to our caregiver self-assessment page
Please take care of yourself.