1.4. Burnout and Coping
Burnout, which is an inevitable part of the caregiving process, is a condition observed both in employees providing professional care services and family members providing home care services. The most widely accepted view about burnout is Maslach’s theory. In this model, burnout; It is considered as feeling emotional
exhaustion, depersonalization towards the people we serve, and a decrease in the sense of personal success experienced at work. The concept of burnout has a lot to do with stress. It occurs when people caring for the elderly feel under intense stress. It occurs with symptoms such as not wanting to do the job, getting
angry at the elderly, grumbling, not being able to do care work well, boredom, constant fatigue, and feeling
of inadequacy. Since caregivers are generally over middle age, their physical and mental health may deteriorate. Their independence is almost eliminated due to care work. As a result, caregivers experience burnout very often.
To cope with burnout;
• Do not think that burnout symptoms are normal when caring for the elderly,
• Don’t ignore the signs of burnout,
• Do not make asking for help a matter of pride,
• Do not blame yourself for what happened to the elderly person,
• Don’t take responsibility for everything alone,
• Get professional help if necessary.
Methods for coping with burnout:
First of all, the caregiver must recognize the symptoms of burnout and their source. It may be due to reasons
such as not feeling sufficient to provide care services, not receiving positive feedback, too much care work,
lack of social support, not taking time for oneself, and dedication. Recognizing the source of burnout leads
to a solution. Accordingly, the solutions are;
• Receiving training in professional elderly care,
• Access to institutions and organizations that can be applied in times of difficulty,
• Making time for yourself,
• To relax,
• Asking for social support,
• Creating support groups by meeting with other caregivers,
• Sharing the burden of care. Reduce your responsibilities and workload. If you have siblings, take turns caring for the elderly,
• Treating elderly care professionally, not seeing oneself as a savior, not being devoted (not falling intocompassion fatigue),
• Making a time plan to use time effectively; take time for yourself,
• Self-care,
• Regular nutrition,
• Keeping family and social life in balance,
• Developing hobbies,
• Vacation to rest, wishing for music, being alone, etc. create opportunities,
• Adequate physical exercise,
• Getting support from other caregivers,
• Not neglecting one’s own needs,
• Self-examination and getting professional support if necessary.
What can be done to provide psychological support to caregivers?
• Caregivers should consult psychiatrists at certain periods, especially when they experience psychologicalchanges,
• Increasing awareness that caregiving is a stressful job and knowing one’s own strengths and skills,
• Evaluating opportunities to get help from other family members, ensuring that other family members areinvolved,
• Being knowledgeable about social services from which he can get help,
• Benefit from training related to caregiving,
• Maintaining a social life as much as possible and doing activities that you enjoy, such as walking, doingsports, and doing relaxing activities such as exercise,
• Doing breathing exercises and relaxation exercises in times of distress and anxiety,
• Complying with and ensuring nutrition and sleep patterns.