Starting a new year often means setting goals and resolutions to ensure success – but how do you plan for challenges along the way? For caregivers, burnout is a real and common challenge. While caregiving is deeply rewarding, it can take a toll on your mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Did you know that over 60 percent of caregivers experience symptoms of burnout, according to the Cleveland Clinic? That’s why it’s vital to recognize the signs and actively prioritize self-care.
In this blog, we’ll share expert tips to help you identify caregiver burnout and strategies for maintaining balance in your life.
What is caregiver burnout?
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that can happen when you dedicate time and energy to manage someone else’s health and safety. Johns Hopkins Medicine states that many things can cause a burnout such as a patient’s extreme need for emotional or physical attention, unrealistic expectations, conflicting demands and lack of alone time. Caregiver burnout can impact a person in various ways, including physically, psychologically, financially and socially.
Signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout
Everyone’s experience with burnout is different, but below are a few general signs and symptoms that point to someone experiencing caregiver burnout according to Cleveland Clinic.
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Withdrawal from friends, family and other loved ones
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Feeling hopeless and helpless
- Changes in appetite and/or weight
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Inability to concentrate
- Getting sick more often
- Irritability, frustration or anger toward others
According to Healthline, a person can also experience body aches, headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances and insomnia. Some people experience weakened immune systems, which lead to frequent infections.
Tips to avoid burnout
Below are a few tips to avoid caregiver burnout, according to Mayo Clinic and WebMD.
- Set aside time for yourself. This may be one of the most important ways to prevent burnout. Leave time for self-care and be sure not to neglect your routine needs and recreation time. Here are some self-care tips for nurses and caregivers.
- Take care of your health. There are multiple ways to care for your health such as prioritizing sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising and drinking plenty of water. It is also important to keep up your appointments with a medical professional. Get the vaccines you need and regular health screenings. Tell your health care professional that you’re a caregiver and discuss worries or symptoms you have.
- Focus on what you can do. You may get overwhelmed at times but focus on what you can control and not on what you can’t.
- Set goals you can reach. Prioritize your tasks by writing them out in order of importance. Break your tasks into smaller steps to make them more attainable. Say ‘no’ to requests that are draining, such as hosting meals for holidays or other occasions.
- Join a support group. Surround yourself with like-minded people who are going through similar experiences and can give you advice. Other ways to get support are leaning on your friends and family when times get hard and creating a weekly routine, so you have time with your loved ones and to relax.
- Talk to a therapist. If you are having a hard time, speak to a professional to resolve issues and get techniques for relieving stress.
Maxim supports our caregivers
In February 2024, Maxim launched its enhanced caregiver benefits program aimed at improving the overall well-being and job satisfaction of Maxim’s valued caregivers. The enhanced program provided more than $10 million in added benefits.
The program includes enhanced PTO packages, which give Maxim caregivers more time off, and can help decrease caregiver burnout. It also includes our MaxCares Awards program, a unique opportunity that offers caregivers to tailor their rewards and receive cash bonuses or the option for additional paid time off.
To learn more about the benefits available to you as a Maxim caregiver, read our press release.
We are currently hiring caregivers like you across the nation. Visit our Careers page to learn more about life at Maxim. Not ready to apply? Visit our Talent Community page to explore new opportunities and receive alerts about jobs that align with your experience.
