Balancing caregiving duties and other responsibilities may be overwhelming at times, yet caregivers manage to be there for their aging loved ones. While you may have to address your loved one’s needs on a prompt basis, it’s also important to remember daily stress can lead to caregiver burnout. These seven strategies might help you prevent stress when providing care for your loved one.
1. Incorporate Mini-Breaks into Your Day
A caregiver stress basket is simple to put together, and a few minutes of relaxation during the day can make a big difference in your mood. Grab a basket and fill it with items you can use to relax whenever you need a small break. A bottle of lotion, a stress ball, a favorite quote, and a mini-massager are a few things you can use to unwind in just a few minutes.
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.
2. Play a Game with Your Loved One
A common mistake some new caregivers make is focusing on caregiving tasks at all times. However, having fun with your loved one is important for your own emotional wellbeing, and spending time together playing a game also gives you a break from chores, such as doing laundry.
3. Plan for Respite
When you have a can-do attitude, it takes time to learn to accept help. Hiring a professional respite caregiver is the ideal way to place your loved one in good hands whenever you need some time away. Respite care also gives you an edge as a caregiver, since having a professional provide insight into your loved one’s care can help you streamline your routine.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Clearwater, FL, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
4. Establish a Reminder System
A lot of stress can be avoided by making sure you remember important dates and times. Use your smartphone to send yourself text alerts for upcoming doctor appointments, or set timers for when your loved one needs to take medication. Having a backup source to remind you prevents last-minute rushing to get things done.
5. Take Care of Your Physical Needs
Being hungry or in pain generates unnecessary stress that could leave you feeling agitated with your loved one. Make sure you attend your doctor appointments during the times your loved one is with a respite caregiver, and eat with your loved one instead of using the time to catch up on chores.
6. Get Plenty of Sleep
As you sleep, your body restores your physical functions while renewing your mind. Try to go to bed at the same time each night, and make your bedroom a relaxing place by blocking out light and noise. Spend a few minutes before bedtime doing something you enjoy that helps you fall asleep, such as reading a book.
7. Learn about Your Loved One’s Conditions
It’s common for family caregivers to be thrust into the role without any instructions. For example, trying to figure out why your loved one’s Alzheimer’s symptoms seem worse in the evening or worrying about his or her future can add to the stress. Join a support group where you can meet other caregivers who face similar challenges, or research your loved one’s specific conditions so you feel empowered when you think about the road ahead.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide homecare. Clearwater families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (727) 330-7862.