Caring for a senior loved one can be an excellent way to bond. However, the role can also be stressful and cause health problems. You’ll need to find ways to make caregiving as stress-free as possible without compromising your senior loved one’s safety and wellbeing. Below are some tips caregivers can use to de-stress and make the role less emotionally and mentally draining.
1. Ask for More Assistance
Having family members step in and help with your parent’s care can reduce the amount of stress you’re under and give you more time to focus on things that bring you joy. If you take on more than your body can handle, it could cause immediate stress and lead to mental disorders, physical accidents, and emotional problems that affect your daily caregiving abilities. When siblings and other family members cannot help out, consider hiring a professional caregiver.
Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Tucson respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
2. Remain Realistic
One of the top causes of caregiver-related stress is setting unrealistic goals regarding what you can do to boost your loved one’s health. For example, if your loved one is recovering from a stroke, set small goals. Keep in mind the recovery process varies from person to person, and if you compare your loved one’s progress to that of other individuals, it could cause confusion, disappointment, and stress. Speak with your parent’s doctors and nurses when creating a care plan and recovery goals to avoid being unrealistic and lower your stress levels when things don’t go as planned.
3. Practice Self-Care
Putting your needs first is vital. Failing to do so could lead to high stress levels and increase the risk of caregiver burnout. However, by practicing self-care, you can maintain good health and enhance your caregiving skills. Self-care includes taking time away to socialize, work on personal goals, and rest. It also applies to seeing your doctor, dentist, and other medical providers for preventive care and maintaining a good quality of life.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
4. Join a Support Group
There are resources available that can help family caregivers with the financial, physical, and emotional aspects of caregiving. One example is support groups that consist of other caregivers and mentors. These groups allow caregivers to meet and share stories, tips, and additional information. While attending the sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to vent in a safe space without feeling ashamed, guilty, or discouraged. Your conversations will be private, and members won’t judge you.
5. Stay Positive
Regardless of how complicated your days are, it’s crucial to look for each situation’s positive aspects. Failing to do so could increase stress levels and harm your health. Remember that even the best caregiver cannot prevent your loved one from aging or cure conditions caused by decreasing health. Good caregivers give their all, remain focused, stay positive, and celebrate all achievements, even those that are small. These are approaches that can boost your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing and stave off caregiver burnout.
Delegating your caregiving duties to a professional is one of the best ways to de-stress. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior home care, Tucson Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (520) 276-6555.