Picture how it would feel to wake up in a strange place, unable to remember how you got there or even who you are. Complete disorientation quickly develops into fear and anger, and you might now discover yourself lashing out at the unfamiliar person positioned by your bed, speaking to you in a quiet voice.
A scenario like this paints a frightening and sadly accurate picture of someone with dementia’s reality. Now envision standing face-to-face with someone you love, and having that person view you with no recognition whatsoever. Every day your heart breaks a little bit more, but you continue through the pain and go on with your caregiving duties for your loved one with dementia. However, performing these duties daily can often result in Alzheimer’s caregiver burnout.
Per the latest report from the Alzheimer’s Association, an astonishing 17.7 billion hours of care are provided by family caregivers each and every year to those with Alzheimer’s. With the continual emotional stress that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can cause, it’s easily one of the most taxing kinds of care provision. Family caregivers have a number of issues that add to their amount of stress, such as difficulty with “letting go” of the senior affected by Alzheimer’s; feelings of guilt when considering nursing home placement; or fear of seeming vulnerable and inadequate if outside assistance is sought. Alzheimer caregiver burnout is nothing to be ashamed of—it can happen to anyone.
Without a doubt, these statistics outline a crucial need for chronic and long-term caregiver respite care. Not only that, but respite is necessary more than once or twice a year to be truly worthwhile. Family caregivers need to understand that support is not just helpful but necessary, and they need to rest and engage in a life of their own. Devoting a life exclusively to caregiving for another person can in fact result in great harm to both people’s lives. Caregivers who permit themselves routine respite feel rejuvenated and better able to provide the highest quality care. And those who do not are at risk for Alzheimer’s caregiver burnout. At Solutions, we offer home health care in Kennewick, Washington and the surrounding area that can help prevent this burnout.
Call in some caregiving support if you detect the signs of burnout, including:
- Elevated stress and tension
- Debilitating depression
- Relentless anxiety, guilt, or anger
- Diminished overall life satisfaction
- Relationship disputes and social isolation
- Compromised immunity and greater need for home health care
- Excessive use of medications, drugs or alcohol
If any of these red flags resonate with you, contact Solutions In-Home Care at (509) 627-8575. We’ll provide a complimentary in-home consultation for home health care in Kennewick, Washington and the surrounding area and create an individualized dementia support care plan for your loved one, allowing you a much-needed chance to rest and recharge. Caring, experienced help is just a phone call away.
