Aunty Beatrice has been caring for her aged mother with dementia for four years, after they realised that she could no longer live alone. She also works part-time (from home now, after being fired from her office job for too many absences), manages her own household, cares for her teenage children, and somehow finds time to be the family member everyone calls when they need something. Last week, she screamed at her mother for spilling food, then collapsed in tears of guilt and exhaustion. She can't remember the last time she left the house for anything other than emergencies. Her friends have stopped calling because she always says no to invitations. Her husband complains she's "always stressed." Her children say she's become irritable and distant. She's lost weight, has constant headaches, can't sleep even when she gets the chance, and sometimes fantasises about just disappearing - not dying, just ceasing to exist for a while so someone else would have to handle everything. She feels exhausted to the bones every day. Yet, she has to keep trying her best to care for her mother and her family. It’s a shame that her other siblings are not willing to take turns looking after their mother, as they always had excuses. As the firstborn, she has accepted it as her cross to bear.

Chidi is 45 and has a 12-year-old son with severe cerebral palsy. His son cannot walk, talk, feed himself, or control his bodily functions. He requires 24-hour care and frequent hospitalisations. Chidi's wife left six years ago, unable to cope. His family said the child was "cursed" and distanced themselves. He's a single father doing it all alone. He works night shifts (security guard) so he can care for his son during the day. He sleeps 3-4 hours daily. He's developed chronic back pain from lifting his growing son. He's depressed, isolated, and financially struggling. He has been going from one spiritual centre to another, hoping for a miracle to cure his son. He does not want to give up, but he knows that without him, his son may not survive. He had checked out some homes for children with disabilities, but was not satisfied with the state of affairs in those places.

Discussion

Caregiver burnout is a general exhaustion resulting from the prolonged stress of caring for someone else. It often involves physical, emotional, behavioural, and cognitive fatigue. Studies have shown that caregiver burnout is experienced by over 60% of caregivers for persons with chronic disorders such as mental illness, stroke, dementia, childhood autism, etc. Caregivers experience more stress than other people.

Common Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout

• Anxiety and Depression: Caregivers may start having baseless fears that they may accidentally harm their loved one. The burden of care can become overwhelming, resulting in feelings of helplessness.
• Physical Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, changes in appetite, and sleep disruption.
• Emotional Symptoms: Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and irritability.
• Behavioural: Social withdrawal, losing interest in hobbies, and neglecting personal needs or health.
• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions, and forgetfulness.

Health Consequences of Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout may result in chronic stress, high blood pressure, heart disease, weakened immune systems, stroke, diabetes, chronic pain conditions, substance abuse, sleep disorders, premature ageing, and/or death.

How to Prevent and Manage Caregiver Burnout

• Accept That You Cannot Do Everything Alone: Many caregivers struggle because they believe it is their sole responsibility to take care of their loved ones. This is not sustainable and often results in burnout. Unmanaged caregiver burnout will cause a decline in the quality of care and may have dangerous consequences. Even though it can be hard, it is also the most important step to preventing or managing caregiver burnout.
• Ask for help and accept it: Many people are willing to help but may not know how. Making specific requests makes it easy for people to help. Requests like ‘Can you stay with Dad Saturday 2-5 PM so I can rest?’, ‘Can you pay for Mom's prescriptions?’, or ‘Can Tayo stay with you after school?’ are better than generic requests. When people offer to help, accept their offer and let them know your specific needs.
• Exercise regularly: These can be via daily walks as well as simple exercises along the line. It helps to reduce stress and improves anxiety and depression.
• Hire Carer If Financially Possible: If you can afford it, hire someone to help with the daily care activities.
• Seek social support from family and friends.
• Make time for self-care: You cant give what you don’t have. Or if you are running on empty.
• Use technology to make caregiving easier. Use reminder apps for medications and important tasks.
• See a mental health professional if your symptoms persist