Health · Mental Health · 1 day ago
Self-care can help caregivers manage burnout as loved ones’ health declines
Caring for someone whose health is seriously declining can leave family members and friends physically and emotionally exhausted.
The close bond with the person can make it hard to step away, even when the caregiver is not living with them.
This strain can lead to compassion fatigue, in which taking on another person’s distress harms the caregiver’s own well-being.
Looking after yourself is not selfish; it can help you keep caring for your loved one.
The article suggests allowing yourself to cry and writing down feelings that may be difficult to share.
It also says caregivers need support from trusted people and a team of caregivers.
The article does not describe a specific next step beyond these suggestions.
Caregivers of loved ones in severe health decline can face emotional and physical exhaustion, according to Psychology Today.
The article says self-care is important and is not selfish, even during a loved one’s difficult health decline.
It describes compassion fatigue as taking on another person’s emotional burden to the point that it harms one’s own well-being.
Suggested ways to process difficult emotions include crying, journaling and seeking support from trusted loved ones.
The article says caregiving should involve a team and that caregivers need to set boundaries and care for themselves.
- Who
- People caring for a loved one in severe health decline.
- What
- The article discusses caregiver burnout and ways self-care may help manage it.
- When
- Published October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Caregiving can cause emotional and physical exhaustion, and the article says caregivers need to care for themselves to support their loved ones.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It’s not selfish to take care of yourself during this very trying time in your life.
There needs to be a team of caregivers, and self-care is essential.
Crying is a healthy release for a mash-up of complex emotions you may be feeling, such as grief, resentment, guilt, and mixed feelings regarding the loved one’s decline.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Publication date
- October 10, 2026
- Article series
- Part 3 of a series on loved ones in health decline
- Self-care suggestions
- Crying, journaling or free-form writing, and reaching out to trusted loved ones
Sources
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