Steps to Fight Caregiver Fatigue

Caregiver fatigue cannot be understated. Spouses, adult children, and family members alike are susceptible to caregiver fatigue, whether they are providing care twenty-four hours a day or caregiving from a distance. Whether caregivers are losing actual sleep or simply wearing down from the constant worry and obligations, help is needed before feelings of resentment and guilt set in or the caregivers’ health becomes compromised. 

Sleep is necessary to live; however, it is often a low priority in the whole caregiver scenario. Our bodies need six to nine hours of sleep, and after age 65, we need six to eight hours per night. The brain relies on sleep to function effectively. Without adequate rest, the brain’s ability to access memory, control speech and resolve problems is greatly hampered. 

Family caregivers truly are at risk of physical and emotional problems of their own while they are providing care for a loved one. Fatigue contributes to an increased vulnerability to illness, and it is prevalent in nearly all caregivers, yet unseen by most. The results of fatigue creep in over time, robbing the energy and focus of a caregiver. Caregivers often become so immersed in their role that they are unable to see their own health decline ‘right before their eyes’.  Lack of sleep can affect emotional as well as physical health. It can produce anxiety, anger, irritability, affect concentration and task performance, impair judgment to the point of danger (driving, using machinery and administering medications), and impact job performance. Sleep deprivation can lead to mental distress, memory loss, and depression. The physical consequences of sleep deprivation can include changes in appetite (weight gain or loss), frequent infections, addictions to alcohol or prescription drugs, problems with focusing, droopy eyelids and increased sensitivity to pain. In addition, lack of sleep can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate insulin production and the metabolism of sugar, putting caregivers at a higher risk of developing diabetes. 

There are several ways that caregivers can take steps to fight fatigue and improve their physical and mental health.