Signs of Carer Burnout When Caring for a Parent
26 October 2026
Caring for a parent can bring feelings such as being anxious, angry, frustrated, resentful or sad. Carer Gateway says it can be easy to keep pushing yourself until you can’t push yourself anymore, so it helps to ask for support before you reach that point.
This guide covers what those signs can look like day to day, who you can talk to, and how paid support at home can fit in. It is general information and not a diagnosis of any kind.
What the signs can look like
Carer Gateway describes how taking care of someone can be stressful, and that sometimes a carer might feel anxious, angry, frustrated, resentful or sad. Having these feelings does not make you a bad son or daughter.
The same page says it can be easy to keep pushing yourself until you can’t push yourself anymore, and that you might become ill or be too stressed to continue care. It also says it’s OK to look after yourself too.
Questions to ask yourself
Feelings are one part of it. The questions below are not a test, but they can help you notice a pattern over a few weeks rather than one bad day:
Are you putting off your own appointments? Cancelling a check-up again because there is always something to do for your parent is worth noticing.
Do you dread the next phone call or visit? A growing sense of dread can mean the load has become too heavy to carry alone.
Are you short with the people around you? Snapping at your parent, partner or children may be a sign you need a break.
Have you stopped doing things you enjoy? Think about friends, hobbies and time outdoors, and whether you still make room for them.
Do you feel there is no one to share the load? Feeling alone with it is a good reason to start a conversation.
If several of these sound familiar, treat it as a prompt to look at what could change, not as a failure.
Who you can talk to
Carer Gateway says you should also make sure that you ask for help when you need it. You can talk with family and friends about what you need and what help they could provide, and you can talk with Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 about what services and support you can get.
It also says a professional counsellor can talk through a carer's worries and help them manage stress, and that Carer Gateway has a free phone counselling service you can contact. If you feel very stressed and want urgent help or advice, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Looking after yourself every day
Carer Gateway says taking care of yourself every day and taking regular breaks can stop you from becoming ill or too stressed to continue care. It also says that when you are physically and mentally healthy, you can provide better care and keep caring for longer.
In practice, that might mean a fixed hour each week that is yours, asking a sibling to take one regular task, or booking your own appointments first and fitting care around them.
Bringing in paid support at home
Sometimes the practical answer is to hand over some of the tasks. A sensible way to start is small, with a few hours a week of help with housework, meals, shopping or companionship, adding more only if it is working.
Before you start, it helps to write down the three or four jobs that take the most out of you. Then agree the days, hours and tasks with the support worker before the first visit, so everyone knows what to expect. The guide to hiring a support worker covers what to ask, and carer vs support worker explains how the two roles differ.
If you are not sure whether it is time for extra help, signs it might be time to consider in-home support looks at the same question from your parent's side.
Care seekers and coordinators can browse and search the support-worker pool. The receive care page explains how to find an independent support worker. If you are curious what the role involves from the worker's side, the Deliver Care page is the place to start.
FAQ
Is feeling resentful normal when caring for a parent? Carer Gateway says that sometimes you might feel anxious, angry, frustrated, resentful or sad. Talking it through with a counsellor, a friend or Carer Gateway can help.
Who can I call if I feel overwhelmed? Carer Gateway has a free phone counselling service and you can talk with Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 about services and support. If you feel very stressed and want urgent help or advice, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Does asking for help mean I have failed? No. Carer Gateway says it’s OK to look after yourself too, and that it’s very important that you look after your own mental and physical health.
Sources
Mental health, Carer Gateway, captured 25 October 2026