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Guard Yourself against Caregiver
Burnout; Recognize 10 Key Warning Signs
SHELTON, CT, May 27, 2008 – Millions
of individuals who are caring for older loved ones also
have full-time careers and regular jobs of their own.
So it's crucial that these caregivers safeguard their
own health and prevent “caregiver
burnout,” an all-too-common
condition that can take a heavy toll physically and
emotionally.
Here are 10 key questions that can
help caregivers determine whether they are experiencing
or are at risk for caregiver burnout:
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1. |
Have you withdrawn from
close friends, acquaintances and other family members?
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2. |
Have you given up your favorite
pastimes and hobbies in order to attend to your
caregiving responsibilities?
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3. |
Are you feeling depressed,
helpless or irritable?
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4. |
Do you cry easily or for
no apparent reason?
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5. |
Do you get angry more easily
and over smaller issues?
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6. |
Are you taking your frustrations
out on others?
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7. |
Have you gained or lost
a significant amount of weight?
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8. |
Do you have trouble sleeping
or feel exhausted even after a full night's sleep?
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9. |
Do you get ill more often
than you used to?
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10. |
Do you suffer from any chronic
health problems (high blood pressure, major depression,
anxiety disorder, etc.)? |
If caregivers answer “yes”
to two or more of these questions, they may be experiencing
some form of caregiver burnout and should discuss this
promptly with their physician or other health care professional.
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LifeCare's Successful
Aging & Caregiving series was created for
reporters who write about aging, adult caregiving and
other challenges of mid-life. Reporters may reprint
the information presented here in whole or in part,
with attribution to LifeCare, Inc.
If you would like more information about a particular topic
or wish to speak to one of LifeCare's Successful AgingSM experts,
please contact Michael Civiello, manager—marketing and media relations,
at 203-291-4170 or pr1@lifecare.com.
About LifeCare®,
Inc.
LifeCare offers cost-saving benefits that help clients
reduce their most pervasive absenteeism and productivity
drains, including child and elder care, caregiving support,
health and wellness issues, and more. For more than
two decades, LifeCare has led the work/life industry
in the creation of high-quality, results-oriented programs
designed to improve clients' bottom line. LifeCare serves
1,500 client companies with 4.5 million individuals
within corporations, health plans, government agencies
and unions. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.
Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170
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