Isolation in the context of caregiving: risk factors and possible causes

Very often, the context of caregiving involves numerous changes in the life of the caregiver. These disruptions can make some caregivers more susceptible to experiencing isolation.

Before discussing the potential causes of isolation more precisely, we find it relevant to recall some consequences that a caregiving context can have on the caregiver. In fact, the potential consequences of caregiving listed below represent additional risk factors for isolation:

A high mental and emotional burden due to managing the ever-growing needs of the person being cared for. Besides causing them fatigue, caregivers tend to ignore and neglect their own needs to conserve energy and provide care for their loved ones. It is said that "caregivers have a 60% higher risk of developing a disease related to stress and burnout, and 18% report having forgone care in the past 12 months, although they felt it was necessary." [1] Caregivers face the possibility of having their life expectancy affected by not paying attention to their own mental and physical needs. They are often hospitalized more frequently, due to their desire to prioritize the needs of others, ensuring the safety and well-being of the care recipient while neglecting their own. Potential compassion fatigue or compassion burnout, depression, suicide attempts due to the workload and a tendency to deny their own needs at the expense of their mental and physical health. A tendency to unintentionally exercise or experience abuse towards the person being cared for due to neglecting their own needs, leading to low patience, high irritation, or frustration with the slightest needs or requests from the person being cared for. An impact on their physical health: "sleep disorders, eating behavior issues, anxiety, risk of depression [and more]." [2]

"caregivers have a 60% higher risk of developing a disease related to stress and burnout, and 18% report having forgone care in the past 12 months, although they felt it was necessary."

Given this context, we understand that caregiving can be a significant risk factor for isolation. As a caregiver, it can be beneficial to take a moment to question whether you are experiencing isolation and to identify the causes that may lead you to it, ultimately aiming to find potential solutions.

Here are a few causes that could lead a caregiver to a situation of isolation:

When those around them do not understand the decisions or actions the caregiver takes for the care recipient, it may lead them to choose not to consult them to avoid being criticized for actions taken in the interest of the care recipient’s well-being and needs. They may also refrain from consulting to avoid feeling blamed, guilty, or doubting their choices. It is possible that due to exhaustion, a caregiver chooses to preserve their energy for the care recipient's numerous needs. Consequently, the caregiver may neglect to allocate time to their social circle out of fear or guilt of depleting their energy reserves within their other relationships and not prioritizing the care recipient’s needs. A caregiver may also experience guilt or feel selfish when taking time for their own well-being when the care recipient is suffering or facing significant needs due to a loss of autonomy or illness. Based on this belief, they may voluntarily decide to isolate themselves to attend to the care recipient’s needs. Simply due to a lack of time, a caregiver may end up neglecting their social circle. Sometimes, a caregiver may juggle multiple spheres of life (work, family, caregiving, relationships, studies), leading them to make crucial choices to maintain balance.

It would be possible to identify many other causes, specific to each caregiver; however, these are the main ones perceived through the individual and group services of the Southwest Caregiver Group (GASO).

These causes remind us of the importance for caregivers to have a support network—whether familial, friendly, or professional—to allow them to feel understood or trusted. Such a space of trust or resourcefulness is an important factor for their health during their caregiving journey. It can help them make healthy decisions regarding the care recipient and their own mental and physical health. Indeed, having a space of trust can remind caregivers how necessary it is to take care of themselves before taking care of others.