VISITING ANGELS HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS 501-321-4900
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How Families in Hot Springs, AR, and Surrounding Areas Can Recognize the Signs of Caregiver Stress

Caring for an elderly loved one is a big responsibility that can be hard for family members to handle. Stress and exhaustion may set in for family caregivers if they have to prioritize the care recipient's demands above their own, their family's, and their work responsibilities.

The toll that caring takes on your body and mind isn't always obvious. In most cases, those closest to you, such family and friends, will be the first to recognize a change.

Knowing the signs of stress and emotional strain in caregivers is essential for preventing burnout. Here are some strategies to help family caregivers in Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, Fountain Lake, and the rest of central Arkansas avoid being burned out.

What Are Common Signs of Caregiver Burnout?

The signs of caregiver burnout are important to recognize if you are the main caregiver for an elderly relative or friend. If you're too tired, you might not be able to take good care of your loved one.

Common signs of caregiver burnout include:

  • Feelings of resentment or guilt
  • Exhaustion, low energy and fatigue
  • Anxiety or worry
  • Irritability or anger
  • No longer finding joy in caregiving or other activities
  • Hyperfocusing on caregiving responsibilities
  • Blaming your loved one or yourself for their situation
  • Lack of sleep or irregular sleeping patterns
  • Lack of interest or ability in eating well, exercising or attending social events
  • Excessive smoking, drinking or eating
  • Sudden weight gain or loss
  • Physical pain, such as headaches and backaches

 

How to Reduce Caregiver Stress

You risk damaging your mental health, your relationships, and your capacity to take care of the people who matter to you if you refuse to take a break from your caregiving responsibilities. The greatest method to prevent burnout is, surprisingly, to take time off for yourself.

Here are some ways family caregivers in Hot Springs can manage burnout:

Relaxation and self-care

You can easily include stress-reduction methods like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, prayer, and mindfulness into your everyday life. There are clear benefits to meditating or praying every day, even if only for five minutes.

Proper nutrition and exercise

A healthy diet may do wonders for your body and give you the strength to go through the day. Lighter forms of exercise, such as brisk walking or using the stairs, may boost stamina, aid weight loss, and increase the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel good" chemicals. This can make you feel less exhausted or stressed, allowing you to perform your caregiving duties more effectively.

Talk to your doctor

It may be time to see a doctor if you've tried to handle your stress on your own and it hasn't helped. Your doctor can suggest ways to improve both your physical and mental health.

Join a support group

If you are currently providing care for a loved one and would want to meet other people in a similar situation, as well as get advice on how to better balance your caregiving responsibilities, joining a local caregiver support group is a terrific option. While it may help to talk to someone who has been through something similar, telling your own story can be even more cathartic.

Consider respite care from Visiting Angels of Hot Springs

Caregiving for a senior loved one often requires assistance from others. Visiting Angels of Hot Springs provides respite care so that you may take a break and focus on yourself. To ensure the safety and comfort of your loved one, our caregivers can assist with household chores, tend to their emotional and physical needs, and more. Therefore, you can be certain that your older family member is receiving the specialized care they need from a kind and competent professional caregiver so that you may focus on your own needs.

Call our Hot Springs AR, office at 501-222-3493 to schedule a free in-home consultation today!

Serving Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, Fountain Lake, and the Surrounding Area

Visiting Angels HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
320 Ouachita Ave #312
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: 501-321-4900

Serving Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, Fountain Lake, and the Surrounding Area

Visiting Angels HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
320 Ouachita Ave #312
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: 501-321-4900