14 M-CARE: Prevention of PCG's burnout syndrome

Mobile Training for Home and Health
Caregiver For People with Disabilities and
Older People
539913-LLP-1-2013-1-TR-LEONARDO-LMP
Module: Prevention
of PCG's burnout
syndrome

Unit 1
• Burnout of the PCG
• Signs and symptoms
• Stress vs. Burnout

Burnout
The demands of caregiving can be
overwhelming, especially if you feel you have
limited control over the situation or if it becomes
too much for you at any time.
The photo is owned by http://www.nfcacares.org/who_are_family_caregivers/

If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can
take a toll on your health, relationships —
eventually leading to burnout.
The photo is owned by Interprojects

• When you as a PCG are burned out, it’s tough
to do anything, let alone look after someone
else.
• That’s why making time to rest, relax, and
recharge isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
Photo by:http://seniorcarepartners.wordpress.com/our-caregivers/

• When caregiving stress and burnout puts your
own health at risk, it affects your ability to
provide high quality care.
• It affects both you and the person you are
caring for.

• Managing the stress levels in
your life is extremely
important.
• Stress alone is often difficult
to control and can be
damaging.
• Even worse, it can lead to
burnout.

Signs and symptoms
• You have much less energy than
you once had.
• It seems like you catch every cold
or flu that’s going around.
• You’re constantly exhausted, even
after sleeping or taking a break.
• You neglect your own needs,
either because you’re too busy or
you don’t care anymore.
• Your life revolves around
caregiving, but it gives you little
satisfaction.
• You have trouble relaxing, even
when help is available.

• You’re increasingly impatient and irritable with
the person you’re caring for.
• You feel helpless and hopeless.
• You withdraw from the things that you had
enjoyed before.
• Every day is a bad day.
• Caring about your work or home life seems like a
total waste of energy.
• You’re exhausted all the time.
• The majority of your day is spent on tasks you
find overwhelming.
• You feel like nothing you do makes a difference or
is appreciated.

Dealing with a PCG Burnout: The "Three R"
Approach
• Recognize – Watch for the warning signs of a
burnout
• Reverse – Undo the damage by managing
stress and seeking support
• Resilience – Build your resilience to stress by
taking care of your physical and emotional
health

Stress vs. Burnout
Stress Burnout
Characterized by overengagement Characterized by disengagement
Emotions are over-reactive Emotions are blunted
Produces urgency and hyperactivity Produces helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of energy Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope
Leads to anxiety disorders Leads to detachment and depression
Primary damage is physical Primary damage is emotional
May kill you prematurely May make life seem not worth living

Unit 2
• Prevention tips

Start the day with a relaxing ritual.
Rather than jumping out of bed as soon as you
wake up, spend at least fifteen minutes
meditating, reading your favorite novel, doing
gentle stretches, or reading something that
inspires you.

Adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping
habits.
When you eat right, engage in regular physical
activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy
and resilience to deal with life’s hassles and
demands.

Set boundaries.
Learn how to say “no” in a positive manner to
requests on your time.
If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying
“no” allows you to say “yes” to the things that you
truly want to do.

Take a daily break from technology.
Set a time each day when you completely
disconnect.
Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and
stop checking email.

Nourish your creative side.
Creativity is a powerful antidote to burnout.
Try something new, start a fun activity, or
resume a favorite hobby.
Choose activities that have nothing to do with
work. (e.g. going out with friends or dancing).

Learn how to manage
stress.
When you’re on the
road to burnout, you
may feel helpless.
But you have a lot more
control over stress than
you may think.

References:
• Administration on Aging. (n.d.). Respite: What caregivers need most-
administration on aging fact sheet Biegel, D., & Schulz, R. (1998). Caregiving and
caregiver interventions in aging and mental illness. Family Relations, 48, 345-354.
• Coon, D. W., Gallagher-Thompson, D., & Thompson, L. W. (Eds.). (2003).
Innovative interventions to reduce dementia caregiver distress: A clinical guide.
New York: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.

14 M-CARE: Prevention of PCG's burnout syndrome

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