What is caregiver burnout?

Caregiver burnout is physical and emotional exhaustion from sustained caregiving, often with resentment, withdrawal and declining health in the caregiver. It builds slowly, as the caregiver sleeps less, stops seeing friends and skips their own medical appointments. It is common among people caring for someone with dementia, and it is not a character flaw.

Caregiver burnout often looks like exhaustion that makes daily tasks feel nearly impossible, sleeplessness from constant worry, irritability, and withdrawal from friends and activities that used to feel good. The Alzheimer's Association also lists denial, anger and depression as signs of caregiver stress. If you notice these signs regularly, it advises making time to talk to your doctor.

The standard ways to prevent caregiver burnout are taking regular breaks through respite care, sharing tasks with family or paid help, and joining a support group. The Alzheimer's Association suggests scheduling time for yourself with respite care and using its caregiver stress check to notice how you feel. Admitting early that you need help is part of prevention, not a failure.

Untreated caregiver burnout can lead to depression and physical illness in the caregiver, and can make it harder to care for the person safely. The Family Caregiver Alliance cites a conservative estimate that 20 percent of family caregivers have depression, twice the rate of the general population. A burnt out caregiver who becomes ill can leave two people needing care.

Caregivers burn out because the demands of caregiving are heavy and long lasting, while rest and support are scarce. Dementia care in particular can mean broken sleep, constant supervision and difficult behaviors over many years. Caregivers often put their own needs last, stop seeing friends and skip their own health care, so stress builds slowly until exhaustion sets in.