National Family Caregivers Month: Preventing Caregiver Burnout

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the more than 53 million family caregivers who provide unpaid care and support for older adults and people with disabilities in the United States. The National Council on Aging reports this staggering figure, highlighting the role caregivers play in our families and communities.

When a loved one needs care, deciding how to provide that care becomes personal. For many families, keeping care within the family unit is important for reasons such as honoring the recipient's wishes, maintaining trust and familiarity, fulfilling a sense of duty, addressing financial strains, and preserving privacy. While caregiving can be deeply rewarding, the level of support required can sometimes amount to a 24/7 responsibility, which may lead to stress and, without proper precautions, even burnout.

One of the most important ways employees can prevent caregiver burnout is to recognize the warning signs. The American Medical Association lists nine key symptoms to watch for.

1. Constantly feeling worried or overwhelmed
2. Often feeling tired or having low energy
3. Sleeping too much or too little
4. Gaining or losing weight
5. Easily becoming irritated or angry
6. Losing interest in activities previously enjoyed
7. Often feeling sad
8. Frequently experiencing headaches, bodily pain, or other physical problems
9. Abusing alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications
   

Employers can play a role in supporting employees who may be a family caregiver, beyond recognizing the symptoms. A few strategies to consider are:

• Encourage employees to take care of their personal health. For those who are also family caregivers, balancing work and caregiving responsibilities can make it even more challenging to prioritize their own well-being. When employees aren’t feeling their best, it can be harder to provide care to others who need them and to perform effectively in their roles. Prioritizing their own health may include making time for physical activity, getting enough sleep, fueling their bodies with nutritious foods, keeping up with doctor visits, taking breaks, and knowing when to seek professional support. As their employer, you can help by providing resources and support through workplace wellness initiatives that acknowledge and address the unique needs of family caregivers.
• Provide support where you can. Caregiving is an important responsibility and can also be overwhelming. Offering resources to help employees understand their caregiver benefits, navigate available services, and communicate effectively with health care professionals can go a long way in helping them manage their loved one’s care.
• Refer to available resources. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to take breaks, especially when it means placing loved one’s care in someone else’s hands. Trusted support and resources, however, can make caregiving more manageable and sustainable. Some options to consider include the following.

Adult day care—for individuals with complex care needs, such as dementia.

Palliative care—for anyone experiencing advanced symptoms of a serious illness.

Respite care—short-term relief that gives caregivers time to rest and recharge.

If outside care isn’t the right fit, other resources may help, such as medical alert systems or technology solutions that can track a loved one’s location or signal a medical emergency.

• Schedule regular check-ins. Regularly checking in with employees about how they’re managing their workload alongside caregiving responsibilities shows that you care. Offer support where you can, and, when possible, provide flexibility in schedules to help them balance both roles. Additionally, remind employees of other benefits, such as an employee assistance program (EAP), if professional support is needed.
  

Resources

National Family Caregivers Month (ncoa.org) 

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  Ashton DeMoss

  Wellness Content and Information Specialist

  IFEBP

  As a Wellness Content and Information Specialist at the Wellness Alliance, Ashton is passionate about supporting employee well-being and advancing workplace wellness initiatives. With over 12 years of experience as a certified health coach, Ashton has worked extensively in the worksite wellness sector, empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize health and create sustainable wellness strategies. Outside of work, she enjoys group exercise classes and participating in a monthly book club to nurture both her physical and mental well-being.