This is one of the best articles I’ve read on the line between caregiver stress and caregiver burnout. And it’s short! The author is Carol Bradley Bursack, author of “Minding Our Elders” (www.mindingourelders.com).
Here’s a key excerpt: “Being a caregiver for someone we love can be an honor, but letting caregiving become our whole life is unhealthy over the long term. Balance is the key to surviving and even thriving as we care for our loved ones. Taking steps to limit stress can help us find that balance.”
The article addresses how to recognize when we may be crossing the line burnout:
* “We ask ourselves about our attitude toward our care receiver.”
* “[We] listen to our friends or others who care about us.”
* “We ask ourselves if we can occasionally feel happiness and/or joy.”
The article also describes how to avoid burnout and how to take better care of ourselves as caregivers.
Here’s a link to the article: (Note that there are ads on the webpage.)
www.healthcentral.com/article/
Where Is the Line Between Caregiver Stress and Burnout?
Carol Bradley Bursack / @mindingourelder, Health Guide
Health Central
Published On: Apr 10th 2013