Tens of thousands of people care for older loved ones and consider the role a privilege and rewarding. However, caring for a loved one also presents a number of challenges that often create stress. A variety of strategies can make the task easier and more enjoyable for both you and your loved one.
Educate Yourself
Take a basic caregiving class. Learn about your loved one’s specific medical conditions. Take the time to learn about the possible progression of the disease processes and symptoms you might expect to see in the future. Become familiar with your loved one’s medications, dosages, and side effects. Create a database of information for referral. This data is also helpful when your loved one needs to attend a routine checkup or in the event of an emergency.
Professional home caregivers can be a wonderful source of information and support for families caring for older loved ones. When searching for reliable elderly home care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Home Care Assistance, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more.
Accept Help
Caregivers who attempt to accomplish everything alone soon become frustrated, weary, and overwhelmed. Enlist the aid of other family members or professional caregivers as needed. Allow others to run errands or assist with household chores. Someone must also be in the wings should you become ill or need a much-deserved break.
Caring for a senior loved one 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 Roseville 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.
Prioritize
Trying to accomplish too much in one day may soon become a challenge. Decide which tasks are more important and cannot wait another hour or be put off for a day or two. The same guidance applies when it comes to an older person’s care needs. Allow your loved one leeway and the opportunity to make decisions that don’t interfere with his or her general health and wellbeing. For example, if your cognitively impaired parent refuses a bath, perhaps a simple sponge bath will suffice.
Listen
Sometimes seniors simply need to express anger, sadness, or disappointment. Listen to what your loved one is saying and be reassuring and supportive. Let your loved one know his or her thoughts and feelings are important and he or she has the right to an opinion. By listening intently, you may arrive at a solution that alleviates the negativity.
Learn Body Language
Older adults may feel under the weather, experience pain, or become fretful. However, they often don’t want to burden their caregivers, so they keep the problems to themselves. An attentive caregiver can detect nonverbal cues that indicate the reality of a situation that shouldn’t easily be dismissed.
Observe your loved one’s behavior during conversations and different situations. When you suspect something is amiss, pose simple questions to encourage your loved one to share his or her concerns. Picking up on subtle cues may prevent a medical emergency or a potential quarrel.
Practice Self-Care
Caregiver burnout remains a real dilemma for individuals who don’t take the time to take care of themselves. Indulge in a favorite book in the evening, take a walk around the block, or enjoy an afternoon out with friends. Getting away from their immediate environments helps caregivers take a break to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting sufficient sleep are also vital for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Roseville families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (916) 226-3737 today.