What Does It Feel Like to ‘Burn Out’ Caring for Mom?

By Andy Niska | July 19, 2018 |

Unless you know the feeling, you may not fully understand what it’s like to ‘burn out’ taking care of somebody else. If you’ve been caring for your elderly mother (whatever your motivations or reasons) you may have reached the point when you feel as though you can’t take anymore.

Caregiver in Spokane Valley WA: What Does it Feel Like to “Burn Out?”

A lot of people experience caregiver stress when looking after aging and disabled family members.

Unfortunately, most of these men and women simply don’t realize that it is stress causing their challenges and instead discount it as being caused by something else. So, how do you know if whatever you’re going through is related to caregiver stress and burning out and not something else?

Do you wish you could just skip stopping by this person’s house?

When we’re burning out of something, we often want to avoid doing it. If you found yourself contemplating staying home, going to the movies, or doing something else (anything else) instead of stopping by this elderly person’s house to help them, you may be at the point of burnout.

Do you have trouble sleeping at night?

If you’re not sleeping well at night, it could be the stress. Maybe your thoughts are racing, you’re worried about this person, wondering if you forgot something you needed to do, or are simply trying to figure out how to get everything done that’s on your plate for the next day.

If you have trouble falling asleep, wake up numerous times throughout the night, and basically wake up feeling tired, worn out, and run down, it’s not only going to increase fatigue through the day, it’s also going to exacerbate the stress you’re feeling at the moment.

Are you getting frustrated too easily?

Maybe you’re the most docile person you know. Perhaps it takes a lot to get you angry at someone else. Yet, maybe you’ve noticed yourself snapping at your spouse, friends, coworkers, and even strangers on the street or in the stores.

When you find yourself getting too easily frustrated, letting your temper get away from you, it’s usually the direct result of intense stress in your life. The stress may have been building for a long, long time and you simply didn’t notice it slipping in.

When you finally realize you’re reaching the point of burning out, it’s well past time to consider home care support services. Home care aides can provide a valuable support system for people of all ages and all walks of life when they’re looking after a disabled and elderly family member who needs their help.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Spokane Valley, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.