Family and Caregivers
Support and Resources are Available to Help Prevent Caregiver Burnout.
Many who are helping others don't often think of themselves as "caregivers." But when one or more of the following types of situations arise, it's time to start considering yourself as a caregiver:
- A health problem is cramping your mother's lifestyle
- You are helping out with a parent's financial issues
- Home maintenance is slipping - the grass is overgrown, and things are broken, but not repaired
- The refrigerator is poorly stocked and food is going bad
- Your grandfather has died and your grandmother is alone for the first time in 40 years
- Dad seems distracted on the phone and you are concerned about his memory
You are not alone! There is a wealth of caregiving resources, support groups, and other information for all different kinds of caregivers. Contact the ADRC Specialist at (920) 849-1451 to learn more about caregiver resources.
Calumet County Family Caregiver Support Group
People caring for a loved one often feel alone, stressed, overwhelmed, and helpless. Please join us for one hour a month where you can join others who are on the caregiver journey to discuss common concerns, struggles, and triumphs. We understand the importance of having a community of support with those on a similar path. Together we will share, interact, listen, and learn in a supportive and safe environment.
- Meeting Location: Fox Valley Technical College- Chilton Campus, Rm. 126
1200 E. Chestnut Street, Chilton, WI 53014 - Meeting Dates/Time: First Thursday of every month from 1:00pm-2:00pm
For further information on the group, transportation, or respite services, please call Aging and Disability Resource Center (920) 849-1451.
REACH Caregiver Support
Wisconsin Family Caregivers
- Wisconsin Family Caregivers
- Virtual, Telephonic, and Online Resources & Events
This page is full of caregiver education, training, support groups, and Memory Cafes that can be accessed by caregivers in a variety of ways.
What are the symptoms of caregiver burnout?
The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of stress and depression, which include:
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and other loved ones
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless and helpless
- Changes in appetite, weight, or both
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Getting sick more often
- Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Irritability
What causes caregiver burnout?
Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a caregiver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue and hopelessness - and, ultimately, burnout.
Other factors that can lead to caregiver burnout include:
- Role confusion - Many people are confused when thrust into the role of caregiver. It can be difficult for a person to separate her role as a caregiver from her role as a spouse, lover, child, friend, etc.
- Unrealistic expectations - Many caregivers expect their involvement to have a positive effect on the health and happiness of the patient. This may be unrealistic for patients suffering from a progressive disease, such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
- Lack of control - Many caregivers become frustrated by a lack of money, resources, and skills to effectively plan, manage, and organize their loved one's care.
- Unreasonable demands - Some caregivers place unreasonable burdens upon themselves, in part because they see providing care as their exclusive responsibility.
- Other factors - Many caregivers cannot recognize when they are suffering from caregiver burnout and eventually get to the point where they cannot function effectively. They may even become sick themselves.
Calumet County Caregiver Coalition - Calumet Area Aging Network (CAAN)
A Caregiver Coalition is a group of community-based organizations, health care providers, experienced caregivers, and others working with a common mission to provide family caregivers in our community with a link to vital services and support.
The mission of the Calumet Area Aging Network (CAAN) is to improve the quality of life for seniors and their support systems by developing and sharing information through education, events and networking in the Calumet County Area. The group consists of persons in the community, both professionals and nonprofessional who have a passion for improving the quality of life for seniors.
The group meets in-person and/or virtually the last Thursday of each month from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Uptown Commons, 49 W. Main Street, Chilton. New members are always welcome. Please call the ADRC at (920) 849-1451 for more information.