Compassion Fatigue

A state of emotional and physical exhaustion that results from the prolonged exposure to others' suffering, particularly in caregiving contexts. Unlike burnout, which develops gradually from chronic workplace stress, compassion fatigue can emerge rapidly and is characterized by reduced empathy, emotional numbness, and diminished ability to feel and care. For AD/ADRD family caregivers, it arises from the sustained emotional labour of witnessing a loved one's cognitive decline, managing distressing behaviours, and providing intensive personal care over months or years. Addressing compassion fatigue is essential to maintaining both caregiver wellbeing and quality of care.