Caring for Yourself While Caring for a Loved One

Caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness or in their final days can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, it can also be extremely stressful for the caregiver, leading to burnout. 

“Caregiver burnout” when a loved one is terminally ill refers to a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion experienced by a caregiver due to the overwhelming stress and demands of providing constant care to a dying person. Caregiver burnout can affect your overall health and well-being in various ways, including physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, professionally and socially.

If you are burned out, it may be harder to care for your loved one. You may also struggle to manage important aspects of your own life. When you are in the middle of caring for a loved one, it is easy to push your feelings and personal needs aside to give your full attention to the person within your care. As a result, caregiver burnout is extremely common.

The dedicated and compassionate staff at Good Shepherd Hospice provide guidance and support to help you navigate caregiver burnout.

Key aspects of hospice caregiver burnout can include:

  • Intense emotional strain: Dealing with the grief of impending loss, guilt, anxiety about making difficult decisions, and the constant awareness of the loved one’s declining health can lead to significant emotional distress.
  • Physical exhaustion: The demanding nature of end-of-life care, including frequent monitoring, assisting with personal needs and managing complex medical situations, can lead to physical fatigue.
  • Social isolation: Focusing so heavily on the sick loved one can lead to neglecting social connections and withdrawing from friends and family.
  • Difficulty coping with symptoms: Caregivers may struggle to manage their own emotions and may experience difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite and increased susceptibility to illness.

Signs of caregiver burnout can include:

  • Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or anxious.
  • Lack of motivation to do anything.
  • Feeling sad, tearful, or empty.
  • Becoming easily agitated or irritable.
  • Neglecting your physical well-being or appearance.
  • Increased substance or alcohol use.
  • Changes in sleep – too much or too little.
  • Changes in appetite – too much or too little.
  • Missing your own medical appointments.
  • Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones.
  • Spending excessive time on the internet.
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless.
  • Loss of interest in activities/people previously enjoyed.
  • Difficulty concentrating – as if your head was in a fog.
  • Feeling numb

The Caregivers Guide to Caring for Yourself

Being a caregiver for someone who is ill can be overwhelming and often, it can lead to forgetting how important even the simplest of things can be to help you maintain your strength.

Your hospice team is here to provide emotional support when needed.