Caregiving

When I was desperate for caregiving answers, I turned to Google. Honestly, I didn’t even know which terms to search — I just knew I was drowning and needed help. While browsing, the first term I identified with was “sandwich generation.” I immediately latched on to this term, even before I self-identified as a family caregiver.

Learning that a loved one has a chronic illness can be heartbreaking. You may feel helpless as you watch your friend or family member struggle, unsure how to show support. What’s worse, your loved one may reject your help or become agitated with you for trying. So what can you do when all your efforts to brighten their day don’t work?

Being a caregiver is deeply rewarding — but it can also be incredibly draining. Many caregivers experience caregiver burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Others may face compassion fatigue, a related but distinct form of emotional stress that comes from prolonged exposure to others’ suffering.

In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue, how to spot the warning signs, and practical strategies to manage caregiver stress and protect your well-being.

I was a family caregiver and mother for over six years, raising two children while also caring for aging parents. My husband was the primary caregiver for his divorced mother during this same period. Together, we witnessed our parents endure stage 4 lung cancer, COPD, diabetes, mobility issues, and more. Our many competing roles sometimes meant we could barely keep our heads above water.