Last updated on January 13th, 2026 at 01:13 pm
Caregiving in Vermont and Why Burnout is So Common
Across Vermont, 70,000 family caregivers support parents, spouses, and other loved ones so they can continue living at home—where they feel most comfortable.
These caregivers provide an estimated 66 million hours of unpaid care each year.
While caregiving can be deeply meaningful, it can also be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. Caregiver burnout is the term used to describe the stress and fatigue that can build over time when someone is providing ongoing care, especially when they’re juggling work, family responsibilities, and their own health needs.
For families supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the risk of burnout is often even higher. In Vermont alone, about 13,000 people age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, with 20,000 Vermonters providing unpaid care.
This number is projected to increase significantly in coming decades, largely due to the aging population.
Alzheimer’s and dementia-related caregiving is one of the most common situations where burnout can develop, simply because the support is often daily, long-term, and emotionally demanding.
In fact, dementia caregivers commonly report high levels of strain—nearly two-thirds report at least one negative health impact, including stress, depression, or difficulty taking care of their own health.
If Vermont’s aging population is to thrive through in-home care and continued community involvement, it is important to ensure that caregivers are given the support they need to take care of themselves while providing the best care they can for their loved ones.
That’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs of burnout early and take steps to protect your own wellbeing—because caring for yourself is part of caring for the person you love.
Common Signs of Caregiver Burnout
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and other loved ones
- Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- Feeling blue, irritable, hopeless, and helpless
- Changes in appetite, weight, or both
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Getting sick more often
- Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person for whom you are caring
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Irritability
Tips to Help Relieve Stress
- Pinpoint a confidante that you can vent to. This can be anyone (i.e., a friend, therapist, etc.).
- Make realistic goals that you know you can accomplish. Don’t try to do everything or go above and beyond.
- Take the Powerful Tools for Caregivers class. These classes provide you with tools to help prevent burnout and are offered right here at Age Well.
- Find some respite, whether it is a paid service, friends helping out, or our Respite Caregiver Support Squad.
- Stay educated about your loved one’s disease and remain realistic about how it is progressing.
- Make sure you take care of yourself: eat healthily, sleep well, set aside time to unwind.
- Join a support group.
These are just a few of the ways you can relieve the stress you encounter as a caregiver. You are encouraged to seek other ways through your personal and community supports.
Remember that taking care of yourself will help you to take better care of your loved one.
How You Can Help a Caregiver
If you are not a caregiver, but you know or support a caregiver, there are things you can do to help.
- Offer to assist with household tasks and be specific! Helping to take out the trash, walk the dog, or make a meal, may seem small, but makes a huge difference for caregivers.
- Be an empathetic listener. Often, a caregiver needs to spend time with someone and talk.
- Call Age Well at 1-800-642-5119 to make a referral. If you think a caregiver needs additional support, we have case managers and volunteers dedicated to helping them.
- If they say no to help, keep trying. It’s not always easy to accept help.
- Become a respite volunteer! Age Well trains and coordinates a cohort of volunteers to provide respite for caregivers. It is an excellent way to support a caregiver and give back to your community. Learn more about volunteering.
If you or someone you know is a caregiver who needs support, please call the Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.
Sources:
2025 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures
