Spouse-Caregiver Burnout: Signs of Stress and How to Cope

Caring for your partner is an act of love, but it’s vital to protect your well-being. Discover practical strategies and resources to manage stress and prioritize your health while providing the care your spouse needs. Recognize the warning signs of spouse-caregiver burnout — and find the support you need.

Spouses are stepping up to provide essential care and it’s a heavy load. There are more than 5.7 million spouses who provide care for their partner in the U.S., and nearly half of them are over the age of 65. Spousal caregiving is often medically intensive and can last for years. At least 29% of spousal caregivers have been providing care for more than five years and 66% receive no outside help, according to the Well Spouse Association.

Common Struggles of Spouse Caregivers

The burden of spousal caregiving is hard work, and it can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll.

• Physical: Caregiving often involves physically demanding tasks such as lifting, bathing, or assisting with mobility. Over time, this can lead to fatigue and even physical injuries. The chronic stress caregivers face increases the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to illness.
• Mental: Even when you are committed to your significant other caregiving can cause your mental health to take a nosedive. It often leads to feelings of guilt, grief, and resentment.
• Financial: Caregivers also take a financial hit, as many of them are forced to reduce work hours or quit their jobs to provide care.

Signs of Caregiver Stress

While it’s only natural to suffer from spouse-caregiver burnout when you’re under stress for an extended time or simply worried about your companion, you need to stay on top of any symptoms to prevent severe burnout. Recognizing these signs early can put you on a path to a brighter future:

• Physical signs: fatigue, headaches, and weakened immune system
• Emotional signs: feelings of guilt, resentment, or hopelessness
• Behavioral signs: withdrawing from friends and activities or losing patience

How to Alleviate Caregiver Burnout

If you can identify with these symptoms, there are steps you can take to manage stress. Make self-care a priority by taking time to rest, exercise, and eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Joining a support group or spending time with treasured friends can help break up the monotony of caregiving and boost your spirit. Some people find success in implementing mindfulness techniques such as journaling or meditating.

Asking for help and taking time for yourself is not a weakness, it’s a necessity. Professional home care can help share the responsibilities of caring for your loved one, reducing both your physical and emotional strain. In addition to providing specialized care that might exceed your expertise, they can enable you to have more time to take care of your personal needs. Professional care ensures consistent, high-quality support for both you and your loved one.

How A Place At Home Can Help

A Place At Home provides in-home senior care and support. Our founders established A Place At Home after experiencing the challenges of caregiving as their own parents aged. They saw that quality, affordable in-home care was hard to find and created the business to help others facing similar challenges.

“The A Place At Home team truly is a team that works together to provide the best care possible for their clients. We have found they are consistent and quick to respond to our questions or concerns. The caregivers have been reliable and compassionate, even willing to learn to knit from my mother,” said Susan of Little Rock, Arkansas.

We offer personalized senior care services to meet your family’s specific needs. Our services include:

• In-home care
• Care coordination
• Specialized care for individuals suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia
• Guidance on senior living alternatives

Don’t wait to get the support you need. Find a location near you today and let us help you regain balance while caring for your loved one.