How to Spot Caregiver Burnout
By Robert W. Griffith, MD

The risk of burnout by family caregivers is well known, and it’s important to be able to recognize the signs, so that timely help can be given. Here is a list of warning signs:

1. The caregiver appears withdrawn from friends and social activities that were once pleasurable.
2. The caregiver displays anger towards the patient, or others, because there seems to be no effective treatment or cure, and not enough is understood about the disease.
3. The caregiver is in denial about the severity and ultimate outcome of the disease.
4. In spite of this, the caregiver seems anxious about facing another day and what the future holds.
5. Depression sets in, affecting the caregiver’s ability to cope.
6. Exhaustion makes it hard for the caregiver to finish the day’s tasks.
7. Lack of concentration makes even simple tasks seem insurmountable.
8. Irritability leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses.
9. The caregiver sleeps badly because of a never-ending list of concerns.
10. Health problems crop up, and begin to take a mental and physical toll.

What You Can Do to Help a Caregiver in Need
Time is probably the most welcome gift. Offer to run errands, stay with the person needing care for a few hours, mow the lawn, provide transportation, do grocery shopping, or cook a meal. A few hours of your time can mean so much to caregiver who may be overwhelmed with chores and unable to leave the care receiver to do them. Visit or telephone the caregiver regularly. Caregivers need love and attention as much as the care receiver.

Gift certificates or gift cards for services (lawn mowing, prepaid cab fare, errand-running) would also be helpful to an overworked caregiver. Chances are that the care receiver and primary caregiver are either spending money beyond their budget for these services or doing without them most of the time. A caregiver who would not accept cash gifts from relatives and friends may accept gift certificates or prepaid gift cards. Since caregiving is expensive, gift certificates and prepaid gift cards may help with basic needs or make it possible to add enjoyable items that aren’t in the budget.

Talking with Your Employer
(Taken from the Caregiver Handbook by the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.)

More than half of all caregivers work full time. Twelve percent work part-time, and nine percent have had to quit their jobs because of caregiving. Many who quit said they would not have made that choice if flexibility in working conditions had been available. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more and more employees will provide informal care to aging relatives and friends. Employers can help ease the crisis in caregiving by being supportive of caregivers, a growing segment of their workforce.

The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) recommends discussing your needs with your employer. This advice appears in “Because We Care: A Guide for People Who Care” on the AoA website, www.aoa.gov. Telecommuting, flextime, job sharing, or rearranging your schedule can help minimize stress. Some companies will make special arrangements for an individual caregiver when asked, even if there are no official policies addressing caregiver issues.

You may have used up much of your sick and annual leave providing transportation to medical appointments and other care. Now you may need more time off. The 1993 National Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allows up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave a year for family caregiving without loss of job security and benefits, may be an option. Find out whether the FMLA applies to your company and whether you qualify. Sometimes even smaller companies, though not required by law, will offer similar programs. Look in your personnel manual or ask the human resources department for a copy.