You May Be Exhausted Already – ‘Happy’ New Year

(This is the first of a series of posts dedicated to the multitude of individuals in caregiving roles who feel the emotional cognitive and physical weight of their responsibilities). 

Caregiving rarely begins with a plan.

It begins with a diagnosis. A fall. A phone call in the middle of the night. A slow realization that the person you love is changing — and that more and more is being asked of you.

Over time, fatigue builds. Decisions pile up. Stress seeps into your body, your sleep, your sense of self. Many caregivers tell us, “I’m exhausted, but it feels like there’s no permission to stop.”

If that’s you, hear this clearly: caregiver burnout is real — and it is not something to be ashamed of.

More than 53 million Americans now provide unpaid care for a loved one with chronic illness, disability, or cognitive decline. Most enter the role without training, support, or a roadmap. They do it out of love. And they do it under extraordinary strain.

Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like brain fog. Or irritability. Or forgetting words mid-sentence. Sometimes it looks like guilt for resenting a role you never wanted. Sometimes it looks like quietly wondering how long you can keep going.

Caregiving drains emotional reserves and, if left unchecked, can accelerate the caregiver’s own physical and cognitive decline. This isn’t weakness — it’s biology, stress physiology, and sustained emotional labor colliding.

And yet caregivers are rarely asked the most important question: Who is caring for you?

The truth is that many caregivers feel invisible. Friends may check in at first, then fade. Employers may express support in theory, while expecting the same output as before. Family members may help — or not.

If you have found yourself in this situation, you may want to consider enrolling in a three-day workshop entitled:  “Caregiver Wellness:  Brain, Body & Boundaries”  This workshop exists because caregiving shouldn’t require self-erasure.

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Caregiver Wellness: Brain, Body & Boundaries is a three-day intensive workshop to be held at the Modern Elder Academy Santa Fe campus Feb. 5-8. The program has been designed specifically for people carrying the emotional, cognitive, and physical weight of caregiving — whether for a loved one or as part of their profession.

It’s not about doing more.

It’s about understanding what caregiving is doing to you — and learning how to protect your health, your clarity, and your future while continuing to show up with care. If you’ve been telling yourself to “just push through, or I can wait it out” this may be the moment to pause — and to be met with understanding rather than expectations.

You are not failing.

You are carrying something heavy.

Very heavy.But you don’t have to do it alone.

Boundaries are not selfish; they are necessary for survival.  Setting limits may feel impossible when someone yu love trly needs help.  Saying no can feel like abandonment.  Asking for space can feel like betrayal.  

But over time the cost becomes clear.   Without boundaries caregiving doesn’t just take time—it seizes identity because it becomes harder to remember who you were before the role, to who you might be after it.  Guilt becomes a constant companion.  Anger shows up uninvited.  Exhaustion becomes the baseline.  

Join us for this three-day immersive program which will provide time for reflection, conversation and relief from your day to day responsibilities.

Join Us!

Facilitators will include  Dr. Briony Catlow, Dr. Paula Enrietto and Dr. Barbara Kreisman.

Dr. Catlow is a neuroscientist who completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS/NIH) and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development at Johns Hopkins University. She currently oversees the faculty and staff in their research projects at the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging (KIHA), Ritchie School of Engineering, University of Denver.  https://ritchieschool.du.edu/aging.

Dr. Enrietto began her career as an academic scientist, earning a PhD in Molecular virology and serving on the faculty at Stony Brook University during which time she carried out research in the field of oncology.  Most of her life, however, was also spent as a caregiver for her large, close family. When her mother became ill, Paula discovered the difficulty of long-distance caregiving and relocated to become an active caregiver on her journey toward the end of her life. This very personal family situation encouraged a career change, and she brought her skills to the senior healthcare industry.

To meet these needs, Paula acquired AffirmiCare, a company that has provided quality services to individuals with cognitive and physical challenges for over 17 years. Under her leadership, the company continues to provide first-class services to older adults, individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities, and those who care for them.

Dr. Barbara Kreisman has a varied background in the High Tech and Educational Sectors.  She is a Professor Emerita at the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business and is now with the Institute for Healthy Aging, Ritchie School of Engineering where she facilitates a Wisdom Group for individuals age 50 and above.   Barbara has a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Leadership and Organizational Behavior.  She is an alum of the University of Chicago’s Leadership and Society Initiative.  

This workshop creates space to name the emotions that caregivers are rarely encouraged to speak about: grief, anger, guilt, fear and loss of identity.

For more information about content please visit https://enrollment.meawisdom.com/enrollment?workshop=wo-sfe-26-017&_gl=1*o4h03c*_gcl_au*MTk4NTk1NTU1LjE3NjU2NDk2MDE.  

We realize it is particularly difficult for caregivers to get away from their responsibilities and many have financial concerns due to an uncertain future. Please know that the cost ($2,600) of this workshop can be off-set with a significant scholarship. Apply Here.

• You will have the opportunity to:

• Understand the aging brain and how caregiving impacts yours

• Learn practical tools to reduce strain and safeguard your health

• Connect with peers who get it and can speak openly about the hard parts

• Step away from daily demands into a science-backed, compassion-driven space to reflect, reset, and create a new roadmap

The setting is one of quiet nature with horses, donkeys, ranch dogs ... and more than a few hawks and eagles located. Located in the New Mexico high desert for a transformative experience that will leave you feeling more deeply connected to nature and yourself. Our regenerative horse ranch features traditional Pueblo architecture and spans nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails, winding arroyos, ancient petroglyphs, and awe-inspiring beauty. 

For more information you are encouraged to book a call or contact Barbara Kreisman, Barbara.Kreisman@du.edu, founder of Purposeful-Aging.Org and author of this blog.

Book a Call