What carers can do when everyday coping is slipping
Describe what has changed rather than trying to decide whether you fit a label. You might be sleeping poorly, finding ordinary tasks difficult or having no time to recover between responsibilities. Book a health appointment and explain the care you provide as well as your symptoms.
Prepare a short list of the tasks that need cover: morning personal care, shopping, transport or being available overnight. Identify which need trained help and which a trusted friend could realistically take on. This turns “I need a break” into a conversation about what would make the next week manageable.
Carer Gateway offers free services and support for eligible unpaid carers. Call 1800 422 737 to ask about the support available in your situation. You can discuss the person’s existing support work arrangements separately; a carer’s own needs do not automatically become a claim on another person’s NDIS plan.
Original article and dated context
Ellise works for Care Squared, a national organisation with a mission to help people realise their full potential. Its allied health services are tailored to your needs, to help you reach your NDIS goals.
Caring for a loved one is a rewarding experience, but it can also be stressful, highly demanding and exhausting.
With more than 2.65 million caregivers in Australia – or 1 out of every 11 people – all carers will experience fatigue at a certain point. But prolonged periods of stress and anxiety can cause complete physical, emotional and mental exhaustion – this is known as caregiver burnout.
[Clickability update, September 2026: The population figure comes from the original 2020 article and should not be treated as current. Caring can be demanding, but the statement that all carers experience fatigue is too absolute.]
More than a distraction for carers, caregiver burnout is a debilitating psychological condition brought about by unrelieved stress. Without the right support, this has the potential to harm both you and the loved one in your care. When you’re burnt out it’s impossible to fully care for yourself, let alone someone else.
[Clickability update, September 2026: Symptoms such as persistent exhaustion and loss of interest deserve attention, but this wording should not be read as a diagnosis. WHO classifies occupational burnout as a work-related phenomenon, not a medical condition; that classification should not be automatically applied to unpaid caring. Read WHO’s explanation. A health professional can assess your symptoms and other possible causes.]
As a serious public health issue, Care Squared supports a proactive approach to help caregivers identify caregiver burnout, treat the underlying causes, and prevent further problems.
What is caregiver burnout?
Caregiver burnout is a state of total physical, emotional and mental exhaustion.
Care is often provided over years or even decades – in many cases with the health of a loved one declining over time. In these circumstances short-term stressors can snowball into mental health challenges, relationship difficulty, and eventual burnout.
More than a risk to your own wellbeing, caregiver burnout can also lead to a reduced interest in supporting loved ones. When burnout and accompanying feelings of stress take over, these feelings can spiral into neglect or even abuse as feelings of frustration, anger and guilt develop.
[Clickability update, September 2026: Feeling exhausted, frustrated or guilty does not establish that someone will neglect or abuse another person. If either person is at risk of immediate harm, call 000. If care cannot continue safely, arrange immediate help. Healthdirect provides urgent-support guidance. Carers can ask Carer Gateway about support.]
When this occurs, both you and your loved one end up suffering – making self-care a necessity, not a luxury.
What causes caregiver burnout?
As a carer you may be conditioned to prioritising someone else’s health and wellbeing over your own. Unfortunately this approach leads to a lack of attention towards your own physical, mental and emotional health.
Almost every caretaker will experience burnout at some point, but if the cause of burnout isn’t identified a caretaker may be unable to provide quality support and lose interest in providing good care.
[Clickability update, September 2026: Burnout is not inevitable for carers. There is no basis supplied here for the claim that almost every carer will experience it. Seek support early if caring is affecting your health or daily functioning.]
Factors that may cause caregiver burnout include:
Confusion over roles: Many people are unprepared when handed the responsibility of caregiving. As a spouse, child or friend the role of ‘caregiver’ is often unfamiliar and creates stressful challenges that are difficult to overcome.
Lack of resources: In many cases, caring for a loved one is a full-time role. A lack of money, skills and resources to effectively manage a loved one’s care can cause burnout. Services that support carers are crucial to ensure a lack of resources does not lead to burnout.
Declining health: Many caregivers expect their involvement to improve a loved one’s health and happiness. In the case of degenerative disease like Althzeimer’s or Parkinson’s this can cause burnout when a loved one does not improve.
What are the symptoms of caregiver burnout?
By the time most caregivers suspect burnout, they are already suffering from a range of symptoms.
As a caregiver, it’s easy to focus on your loved one and ignore signs of your own physical and emotional distress. Learning to spot the signs of caregiver burnout is vital to ensure you can take immediate action.
Burnout can include physical, behavioural, and emtional symptoms:
Body aches and pains
Fatigue
Frequent headaches
Weakened immune system
Feeling tired and run down
Changes in appetite or weight
Irritability
Lack of motivation
Lack of interest in activities you enjoyed
Isolation from friends and family
Change in sleeping patterns
Neglecting responsibilities
Anxiety
Depression
Feeling hopeless
Feeling overwhelmed
Denial about loved one’s condition
Becoming angry or argumentative
5 tips to prevent caregiver burnout
Caring for a loved one can place a strain on the most resilient individual. There’s no shame in needing support, but there are risks to you and your loved one by suffering alone. It’s essential to take advantage of existing support structures to prevent caregiver burnout.
#1: Ask for help – No burden is yours to carry alone. It’s OK to ask friends and family to help with some of your carer responsibilities. Prepare a list of ways people can help so when you’re asked if you need support, your helpers can choose what they’d like to do.
#2: Take regular breaks – Breaks help to relax your mood and reduce your stress. Whether it’s a 10-minute break so you can stretch your legs, or a couple of hours so you can take a night off – organising someone to step in can help you unwind and prevent burnout.
#3: Practice acceptance – watching a loved one struggle with physical or mental health challenges is never easy, but instead of asking “why me?”, embrace your choice to care for a loved one. Maybe you provide care for a parent who raised you, or to set an example to your own kids. Finding a deeper motivation will help you avoid the emotional trap many carers fall into.
[Clickability update, September 2026: People have different choices and pressures in caring roles. Finding meaning may help some people, but acceptance is not a substitute for practical assistance or health care.]
#4: Don’t let caregiving take over your life – You can help prevent caregiver burnout by enriching other areas of your life. You’re a carer, but you’re also much more. Allow yourself the time to enjoy your hobbies and passions without feeling guilty. When you invest in your own happiness you’ll be able to weather the challenges of caregiving with greater strength.
#5: Take care of your own health – If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else. Start off by creating a set sleeping, exercise and eating pattern. Many caregivers have trouble sleeping, so speak to your doctor if required.
How to recover from caregiver burnout
Caregiver burnout is a serious health problem that requires urgent attention – for the benefit of you and your loved one.
Whether you work as a caregiver in a professional role or you’re one of the millions of Australians taking care of parents, siblings or children, taking time to recharge your batteries is at the heart of a healthy approach to caregiving.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and at the point of burnout, it’s important to seek help. Support systems are in place to provide relief and respite, and ensure your loved one gets the care they need, without putting your health at risk.
Care Squared is proud to offer a range of national support services to relieve stress and reduce confusion around your NDIS needs. Reach out and speak to a Care Squared team member on 1300 632 639 or fill in our contact form to discuss your needs and find out how we can help.
Clickability editorial update: September 2026
How participants can be part of a sustainable support plan
Your preferences still matter when someone close to you needs help. Discuss which routines you want to keep, which tasks another person could assist with and how new support should be introduced. A gradual introduction may give you time to explain your preferences and ask questions.
The aim is a workable arrangement for both people. Having a wider support team should not mean losing your say about your day. If you need help expressing your choices, ask for your preferred communication supports during the conversation.
Questions readers ask
How can I tell whether ongoing exhaustion needs medical attention?
If symptoms persist or affect daily functioning, talk to a health professional. Explain your caring responsibilities and what has changed. A checklist alone cannot determine the cause. Official guidance
Where can unpaid carers ask about practical support?
Carer Gateway provides free services and support for eligible carers. Call 1800 422 737 or visit its website to ask what is available for your circumstances. Official guidance
Share the practical support, keep the relationship
If the person you support needs a different support work provider, tell Clickability about their needs and preferences. Compare profiles and reviews together when that suits them.
