When It Feels Like Too Much: Finding Hope in the Midst of Caregiver Burnout

If you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or even angry — please know you are not alone.

Caregiving for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s can bring moments of tenderness, but it can also leave you feeling trapped in a cycle of stress, sadness, and sheer exhaustion. If lately you’ve found yourself reacting negatively to messages of hope or encouragement, it’s not because you’re a “negative person.” It’s because you’re burned out.

And burnout is not a personal failure. It’s a sign that you’ve been carrying too much, for too long, without enough support.

This space is for you. No pressure. No demands. Just a gentle invitation to consider that even the smallest steps toward caring for yourself can open a crack of light in what feels like a very heavy time.

Caregiver burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. It often brings with it feelings of hopelessness, anger, and withdrawal — even toward people who are trying to help. It’s incredibly common among those caring for Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s. Why? Because the disease is relentless, and the needs are constant. Your world may have become very small, very heavy, and very lonely. You are not weak for feeling this way. You are human.

While there is no “quick fix” for burnout, there are small actions that can begin to lift some of the weight you’re carrying:

• Name It: Sometimes simply admitting, “I am burned out” can begin the process of healing. Denial keeps you stuck. Honesty moves you forward.
• Allow Help: Whether it’s a neighbor offering to sit with your Loved One for an hour or a professional Caregiver stepping in, say yes. You deserve time to breathe.
• Set Tiny Boundaries: Even setting a five-minute break for yourself each day to sip tea, breathe deeply, or listen to a favorite song can remind your mind and body that you matter too.
• Reconnect to Small Joys: When the big picture feels too overwhelming, focus on small, meaningful moments. A smile. A memory. A sunset. These moments are not a betrayal of your struggle — they are fuel for survival.
• Seek Emotional Support: Joining an Alzheimer’s Caregiver support group (online or in person) can make a world of difference. Sometimes, simply being heard by others who truly understand can lighten the emotional load.
• Consider Professional Help: Counselling isn’t just for people in crisis; it’s a lifeline for Caregivers who need a safe place to process everything they are carrying.

Here are a number of resources where you will find expert support.

• Board Certified Geropsychologist Dr. Natali Edmonds has a series of podcasts that prepare dementia caregivers for success.
• The Caregivers Guide to Dementia is a highly rated book available on Amazon
• The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health Provides Caregiver Training
• UCLA Health – Caregiver Training
• Dementia Care Partner – Talk Show

You are not failing. You are not alone. And while it may be hard to imagine at times, you can still bring moments of joy, connection, and peace into your days—even in the middle of this journey. Take one tiny step today. Even if that step is simply allowing yourself to believe that healing is possible. You are doing the hardest work of all: loving someone through one of life’s most difficult journeys. And even if it feels invisible — it matters.