Preventing and managing caregiver burnout
June 23, 2025
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by Catherine Powers, Ph.D., and Aimee Christie, Ph.D., on June 23, 2025
When you are the caregiver for a cancer patient, you play a crucial role in supporting them during cancer treatment. It’s a huge responsibility. And the truth is, at times, it can be a selfless role that leaves you feeling depleted.
So, what can you do to prevent caregiver burnout when caring for a loved one? And how can you manage caregiver burnout once you recognize it? Catherine Powers, Ph.D., and Aimee Christie, Ph.D., recently discussed these topics on the Cancerwise podcast. Here’s what they shared.
What are some of the challenges of being a caregiver?
Taking on the role of caregiver means you’ll be handling tasks, both big and small, to help make your loved one’s life more bearable during cancer treatment. Over time, this can become overwhelming.
“As cancer rates are rising, more people are becoming caregivers,” says Powers. “Over half of caregivers are relatively young, and women account for more than 60% of caregivers.”
This often means that caregivers will still have kids at home that they’re raising and still be actively working at their own jobs.
“There’s a lot going on in their lives personally and professionally beyond caregiving,” she says. “These other life demands can make it difficult to take on the extra responsibilities.”
These days, cancer patients are also spending less time in the hospital and more time at home.
“In many ways, this is a good thing, but it also means the caregiver has to take on a lot more medical responsibilities that they might not be comfortable with,” says Powers.
That might be helping with surgical drains, managing medications or bandaging a limb to help with lymphedema.
“Caregivers feel like they’re on call 24/7,” Powers says. “That in itself is a full-time job in addition to all of their other life demands. This creates the perfect storm for burnout.”
Know the signs of caregiver burnout
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that comes from dedicating all your time and energy to caring for the physical health and safety of a loved one, says Christie.
The signs of burnout will vary from person to person. So, it’s important to recognize when you just aren’t feeling yourself and ask for help if you notice any of the following signs.
- Psychological: You may feel guilt, resentment, anxiety, depression or anger.
- Physical: You may experience fatigue, changes in appetite, headaches, jaw or back pain, or you may start sleeping more or less.
- Behavioral: You may start smoking again, drinking too much alcohol, withdrawing from others or not engaging in activities you normally would enjoy.
“It’s very normal and OK to not be OK,” says Powers. “It means you need a break. Something’s got to change.”
Cancerwise podcast
How to manage caregiver burnout
The best way to manage caregiver burnout is to try to prevent it from happening, though that’s easier said than done.
“Caregivers have to take care of themselves in order to be able to care for their loved ones,” says Powers. “There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ method. What helps prevent burnout will be different for every caregiver.”
She and Christie suggest doing the following to prevent caregiver burnout.
- Dedicate time every day to do something you enjoy. Try to set aside 30 minutes each day to read, knit, exercise, journal or do anything else that brings you joy.
- Set boundaries. ‘No’ is a complete sentence. Setting boundaries includes saying no to extra tasks that you don’t need to do. And if people offer help, accept it.
- Seek help from a professional. If you’re teetering on the edge of burnout, speak to a licensed therapist or another professional who can help you sort out your feelings.
“Make sure you get enough sleep at night, eat healthy balanced meals and do a little physical activity most days of the week,” says Christie.
Some caregivers may struggle to find the time to do these things because, well, they’re busy being a caregiver. Christie says that’s when you have to get creative.
“Instead of getting 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day, maybe break that into three 10-minute walks with your dog,” she says. “Or when you’re sitting around waiting on your loved ones during doctor appointments, walk the long hallways of the hospital or even around campus here at MD Anderson.”
Resources for caregivers
Many caregivers feel like nobody understands what they’re going through, which can cause them to feel isolated. But MD Anderson offers several resources to help caregivers.
If you’re caring for an MD Anderson patient, you can also ask for a social work counselor to help you find other resources in your community.
“The truth is there’s no silver bullet to preventing caregiver burnout,” says Powers. “You’re going to have stressful moments as a caregiver. But these tips will help you to better manage those stressful moments. By taking care of yourself, you are going to be a better caregiver to your loved one.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.
By taking care of yourself, you are going to be a better caregiver to your loved one.
Catherine Powers, Ph.D.
Psychologist