Key terms related to caregiver burnout, self-care, and support for family caregivers.

Caregiver Health Terms

Caregiver Burnout — A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by the demands of caregiving. May include withdrawal, irritability, hopelessness, and neglect of one’s own health.

Compassion Fatigue — Emotional exhaustion from prolonged exposure to others’ suffering. More common in professional caregivers (nurses, social workers) but can affect family caregivers.

Caregiver Stress — The physical and emotional strain of caregiving. Chronic stress can lead to health problems including weakened immune function, cardiovascular issues, and depression.

Secondary Traumatic Stress — Stress symptoms that result from witnessing or hearing about another person’s traumatic experiences. Common in caregivers of those with serious illness.

Respite Care — Temporary relief for primary caregivers through adult day programs, in-home aides, or short-term residential care. Essential for preventing burnout.

Self-Care — Activities and practices that maintain the caregiver’s own physical and mental health. Not selfish but necessary for sustainable caregiving.

Support Terms

Eldercare Locator — A nationwide service (1-800-677-1116) connecting older Americans and their caregivers with local support services.

Adult Day Programs — Structured programs providing supervision, social activities, and care for older adults during daytime hours, giving caregivers a break.

In-Home Aide — A professional who provides assistance with daily activities (bathing, meal preparation, medication management) in the care recipient’s home.

Caregiver Support Group — A group of people who share the caregiving experience, providing emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — A workplace benefit offering free, confidential counseling and support services. Many EAPs include caregiver support.

Care-Related Terms

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) — Basic self-care tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. Used to assess care needs.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) — More complex tasks including managing finances, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and managing medications.

Respite — A short period of rest or relief from caregiving duties. Can be informal (family member helps) or formal (professional respite care).

Advance Directive — A legal document specifying a person’s wishes for medical care if they become unable to make decisions. Important for caregivers to understand and have in place.

Power of Attorney — A legal document authorizing someone to make decisions on another person’s behalf. Caregivers often hold power of attorney for the person they care for.