Caregiver burnout: signs, boundaries and ways to get support

Caring for someone you love is rewarding but exhausting. People who care for long periods without rest, alone and with a sense of “not doing enough” can become physically and emotionally drained. Burnout harms more than the carer’s health; it affects the quality of care and family relationships too. Looking after yourself is not selfish; it is what makes care sustainable.

Signs of burnout

• Constant tiredness, exhaustion that rest does not fix
• Sleep problems, appetite changes, getting ill often
• Impatience and angry outbursts followed by guilt
• Withdrawing from friends and activities you used to enjoy
• Hopelessness, helplessness, a feeling that “nobody understands”
• Neglecting your own check-ups and medicines

If you have thoughts of harming yourself or the person you care for, this is an emergency: contact a health professional now or call your local emergency number (112 in Türkiye and across the EU).

Share tasks in writing

“Let me know if you need help” rarely brings help. Instead, list the tasks and make specific requests: “Could you stay on Tuesday evenings?”, “Could you take over collecting prescriptions?”, “Could you be with Mum for four hours at the weekend?” Siblings who live far away can take on appointments, bills, paperwork or financial support.

Regular breaks: at least once a week

Breaks work when they are planned, not taken in a crisis. Set up cover for a few hours each week, a full day each month and a few days each year. An hourly caregiver, a day centre or a trusted family member can fill the gap. Use the time to rest and for yourself, not to catch up on housework.

Setting boundaries and managing expectations

• You do not have to do everything perfectly; “good enough” care is good care.
• Say clearly what you cannot do and ask for professional support.
• Do not carry medical decisions alone; ask the doctor for a written plan.
• Let your relative do what they can; it protects their confidence and lightens your load.

Where to find support

• Family doctor (GP): the first stop for both the person you care for and your own health.
• In Türkiye: the Ministry of Health’s home health services (evde sağlık) for people who are bedbound or cannot leave home; ask your family doctor or hospital how to apply.
• In Türkiye: the care allowance paid under certain conditions by the Ministry of Family and Social Services (Aile ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı); apply through the provincial directorate or e-Devlet.
• In Türkiye: municipal elderly and home care services and day centres.
• Elsewhere: ask your GP or local authority about carer assessments, home care, respite care and any carer allowances.
• Mental health support: for intense stress, sleeplessness or signs of depression, ask your doctor for a referral to psychiatry or counselling.

Small daily steps for yourself

A 15-minute walk each day, regular meals, a fixed bedtime and talking to a friend once a week look small but add up. Take your own appointments as seriously as your relative’s.