Caregiver burnout

Extended periods of providing care and support for a loved one can affect you in many ways, including:

• Sleeplessness. Stress, anxiety or medical needs from your loved one in the middle of the night can make it difficult to get a good night's rest.
• Reduced ability to concentrate. With so many tasks and responsibilities to manage you may find it difficult to concentrate. Brain fog makes every task more difficult.
• Mood swings. You may have minor changes in mood. You feel angry one minute and then sad and helpless moments later. Irritability also is common.
• Depression. Many caregivers feel alone, isolated and overwhelmed.
• Weakened immune system. Stressed caregivers are more likely to catch whatever cold or flu virus that's going around.