Family burnout in caregiving; which intervention is appropriate?

• A. Provide resources for support.
• B. Encourage family members to shoulder more caregiving.
• C. Relocate patient to inpatient facility.
• D. Schedule family therapy only.

Answer: (A)

Caregiver burnout is best mitigated by linking caregivers to support resources. When caregivers have access to respite services, educational programs, counseling, support groups, and practical assistance (for example, financial or legal guidance), they can take relief breaks, learn coping strategies, and feel less isolated. This approach directly reduces the stress and fatigue that accumulate from ongoing caregiving and helps sustain both the caregiver and the person receiving care over time.

Encouraging more caregiving would simply increase the demands and risk of exhaustion, so it’s not an appropriate remedy. Relocating the patient to an inpatient facility might be necessary in certain cases, but it’s a drastic step that doesn’t address ongoing caregiver strain and can be disruptive for family dynamics. Scheduling family therapy only can be beneficial, but by itself it may not provide the practical supports and resources caregivers need to manage day-to-day stress.