What is Carer Fatigue?

Carer fatigue, otherwise known as carer burnout, can occur as the result of caring for a spouse, parent or loved one.

Being a carer can be highly demanding and exhausting, and experiencing this for extended periods can result in the physical, emotional and mental exhaustion of the carer.

Although carer burnout refers to a risk to your own mental health and wellbeing, a secondary impact of carer fatigue may be the reduced interest, frustration, anger or feelings of guilt towards the person you are caring for. Symptoms of carer fatigue can be physical, behavioural and/or emotional.

What causes Carer Fatigue?

Carers often provide care over a period of years and even decades, and the toll that this responsibility may have on them can be significant. Factors that can contribute to carer fatigue include:

Difficulty accepting their new role as a carer

Some carers do not choose to become carers but fall into it to support their spouse or parent. The role of a caregiver can be new and unfamiliar and often requires having some difficult conversations with those that are closest to the carer.  

Lack of support for the new role

Most carers take on helping a loved one not realising that it is often a full-time role. This can result in the carer being required to reduce or give up employment altogether, change their lifestyle or social life significantly to cater to the person they are caring for, and/or suffering unexpected financial hardships as they try and provide financial assistance to their loved one.

Expectations that this care will improve their loved one’s health

Carers often expect that their help will result in their loved one’s health or happiness improving. This may not be the case if the person being cared for is suffering a degenerative illness (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and often carers can find it incredibly difficult watching their spouse, parent or loved one deteriorate before their eyes. They may even feel as though they haven’t done enough, despite the huge ways that their own lives have changed.

Can I get any help as a carer?

Yes!

1.     You may be entitled to government benefits such as Carer Payment or Carer Allowance, depending on your situation and the situation of the person you provide care for. This financial assistance can sometimes mean you are able to spend more quality time caring for your loved one.

2.     The person you are caring for may be eligible for a Home Care Package. Putting a Home Care Package in place means that your loved one receives government-subsidised care and can mean you are able to take a step back and spend quality time with your loved one, rather than being responsible for all the caring duties.

3.     The person you are caring for may also be eligible for respite care either in the home or in a facility. This could simply be a weekend to allow the carer to rest and recharge or visit family and friends without feeling guilty they have left their loved one at home unattended.

Our team of Aged Care specialists are here to help

Navigating Aged Care yourself or assisting a loved one can be an emotionally charged, overwhelming & complex time so it is important to find the right person to guide you through the process.

To ensure you are equipped with an understanding of what to look for, get in touch with the Rethink Aged Care team for our personalised service to assist you in determining your care needs. Contact us on 4962 4440.

Figures are current at the time of writing & are subject to legislative change.