Caregiver Burnout Quiz

To figure out if you’re suffering from caregiver burnout, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have trouble falling asleep and sleeping through the night?
2. When caring for your loved one, do you find yourself feeling resentful or trapped?
3. Do you find yourself losing your temper with others (especially the person in your care) more often than usual?
4. Have you experienced a significant change in appetite?
5. Do you have trouble engaging with friends and family members?
6. Do the activities that once brought you relaxation and joy now leave you feeling listless?
7. Do you feel pervasive anxiety when you leave your loved one alone?
8. Are you feeling overwhelmed, like there is not enough time in the day to get everything done?
9. Do you worry you are not doing enough to care for your loved one?

Caregiver Burnout Symptoms

Symptoms of caregiver burnout are similar to symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. These symptoms arise from mental and physical stress and can change your attitude from giving and sympathetic to irritated and unconcerned.

These are just a few symptoms of caregiver burnout:

• Energy loss
• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of fulfillment and satisfaction
• Increased irritability and anxiety
• Feelings of hopelessness and dread
• Inability to concentrate or focus
• Trouble relaxing or disengaging
• Pushing away friends and family
• Increased frustration with the person you are caring for
• Getting sick more often
• Bouts of crying or panic attacks
• Wanting to hurt yourself or your loved one

Seek Out Support and Appreciation

Those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or a health issue that causes a great deal of physical pain or discomfort may not recognize the important work you do. And it’s not because you are not doing a good job, but because they are unable to. Remind yourself of the kind and grateful things they would say if they were in good health. You can also turn to a family member and loved one who can see the work you’re doing and remind you why it’s so important, selfless, and loving.

You don’t always need outside validation to feel acknowledged. I put post-it notes with kind words from mentors and loved ones in high-traffic areas like the fridge or bathroom mirror as a small pick-me-up. I also set reminders on my phone with positive affirmations and empowering quotes that help me get through tough days.

I’ve compiled a list of questions to ask when evaluating adult day care. As you look for a facility in your area, keep these questions in mind. Ask the adult day center provider these questions on the phone, or when visiting the center for the first time. Evaluate their answers, and make sure the center will match your needs.

• What activities and programs does the center offer? Do these activities sound engaging?
• What are the hours of the center? Is it open during evenings or weekends?
• What level of care does the center provide? Does care include medication management or feeding assistance?
• How many staff are in the center, and what level of training do they have?
• Who supervises the staff, and is the supervisor always at the center?
• What is the ratio of participants to staff, and are staff members able to provide exceptional care?
• What are the emergency policies?
• Does the center offer a transportation service for participants?
• What meals and snacks are available at the center? Are they nutritious?
• How long has the center been open, and is it a certified adult day center?
• What are the costs of participating in the center?

While there are a variety of benefits that come with moving as a senior, we also understand it can be a stressful topic for individuals and families. Transitioning to a new home may mean saying goodbye to a home that’s comfortable and familiar, and it may be difficult to take the plunge and to figure out the best time to make a move. Our advice is to acknowledge these feelings but to also focus on the positive aspects of moving. It’s also important to seriously evaluate and consider your current and future needs. Some reasons why considering a move might be the right choice include:

• A desire to live closer to friends or family. If loved ones and family members live far away, you may want to move closer to have a support system nearby.
• Managing a medical condition that will require an increasing amount of care. It’s common for older adults to need more care as they age, especially if they’re managing a medical condition. If you have any medical concerns that may require more long-term support, it’s important to consider those needs and make a plan before a real need arises.
• Loss of a spouse or loved one. The death of a spouse or other close loved one may leave a void that can be difficult to navigate, especially if new tasks and responsibilities that were once taken care of are suddenly introduced. A loss can also lead to feelings of disconnection and loneliness. If this is the case, the social connections offered by living closer to loved ones or at an assisted living or retirement community may be a great help.
• Craving more social interaction. The loss of a loved one isn’t the only reason an older adult may feel lonely or isolated. If communal living with built-in social support sounds appealing, a move to a retirement or assisted living community might be a good idea.

Combining affordable plans with medical alert features, Lively is one of the best options for senior cell phones. While the provider currently offers only two phones, either option will be a fit for those in search of simplicity.

Lively plans come with some optional features tailored toward older adults:

• Urgent Response: In the event of any emergency — medical or otherwise — the Urgent Response feature can come in handy to be immediately connected to an agent certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) who could trace your location and send help if necessary, much like a MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM.
• Lively Rides: With Lively Rides, Jitterbug users can contact an operator to arrange Lyft rides, no app required. The cost of these Lyft rides will be added directly to your monthly bill from Lively.
• Lively Link: The Lively Link app is a great way for caregivers to keep tabs on their loved ones. Using this app on his smartphone, my partner received notifications each time I pressed my Urgent Response button. He could also check on my location and the battery level of my Smart4.
• Care Advocate: With the Care Advocate service, Jitterbug Smart4 users can be connected with what Lively calls “Care Advocates.” These professionals will conduct an initial screening and help the user create a “Care Plan” encompassing health, financial planning, and personal care.
• Nurse On-Call: One of my favorite wellness features, Nurse On-Call, allows you to speak directly with registered nurses and doctors who provided me with medical advice and could even prescribe common medications over the phone. Available 24/7, I found this feature to be much more useful than the Care Advocate service. I think that Nurse On-Call is a great way for seniors to answer non-emergency medical questions in a prompt manner. It definitely beats standing in line for Urgent Care or waiting several weeks to schedule a primary care visit.

For more information call:  855-403-6340