6 Signs of Caregiver Burnout

I am a Caregiver for a 83 old friend. I am feeling some of the signs of burnout but I feel guilty when thinking about putting him a care facitity. I am going to 76 this year myself and want to start having a life again. What can I do?

This is really validating of my experience, which all by itself is helpful. Thank you

I have experienced all the 7 signs of burnout and finally couldnt take the abuse from my mom any longer, so i quit being her caregiver and felt really bad and still do sometimes, but i had to do it or i was going to die before she does, i was having chest pains and did not sleep at night and didnt care to go on. I finally had to let her know i was finished with her. she was constantally telling me and others she wish she never had children and we wasnt worth a dam. now she only has home health and a nurse checks on her once or twice a week, she is in a living assistance, I do call a lady there once a week to check on her, without her knowing about it, I just cannot take her verbally abuse and threats any longer from a woman that has never wanted me anyway.

oh yeah.. all of the above and more

These signs should be on the job description, sorry. They need to add bitter, my mother in law asked what happened to her sweet daughter in law. This is what you get, I pray, I exercise nonstop but cannot leave. I have become a shrew. Cannot wait till she moves out. I may sound cruel but I am dying faster than her and she enjoys torturing me.

Your helpful information is appreciated. It is nice to know that these feelings are normal.

Yes, it's helpful to recognize these signs, and then to consult a doctor about it. But what this article fails to mention is......the caregiver has to keep going. So the pressure continues to build....very difficult.

My MIL keeps saying 'I don't understand what you have to feel STRESSED about.'

She lives in LA LA land - how could she fathom what I deal with. She doesn't even comprehend WHAT IF DO??? Her other kids have never said 'thank you for taking care of mom' - they call once every month or two and she is all cheerful and sweet and says 'I AM DOING FINE.' No one ever calls to ask how I am. I AM NOT DOING SO FINE. Caregiving is a lose/lose situation. My parents died when I was in my twenties - so I had NO IDEA how it would be. I climbed onto this roller coaster and it won't stop and let me off!!!

I finally told my hubby that I did not volunteer to die for his mother. Since his brothers WILL NOT help in any way with her care or with breaks for me - I have decided to apply for VA Aid and Attendance - and IF she qualifies - SHE WILL be moving into an ALF very soon. Another person said that we could then become an 'attentive visitor.' That's what I want to be and SOON.

If the VA Aid and Attendance falls through - I may just have to run away from home. :0(

meant "What I do' in previous post.

Yes, I have burn out. I have doing about ten jobs in one. Paperwork, household repairs, chauffeur service, cleaning.... and my to do list gets longer and longer. Other family members, who live in a dream land, will not help. No social life. My health is getting worse and I haven't even been to the doctor in over a year - the dentist in over three years. Every morning I wait for the other shoe to drop since I know that something new will pop up that I have to take care of. It's kind of like Chinese water torture.