Being an effective caregiver for a senior loved one is primarily about balance when it comes to fulfilling your other family roles at the same time. However, for some caregivers, this goal tends to be easier said than done. If this is something you’re facing challenges with yourself, here are five tips for balancing caregiving with other family roles.
1. Keep Everyone on the Same Page
Ineffective communication can make it difficult to balance caregiving with other family roles. If everyone involved isn’t fully aware of the situation with caregiving, you may find yourself frustrated by incorrect assumptions or misunderstandings. Keep everyone involved regularly informed about:
• How well you’re handling caregiving duties
• What kind of assistance from other family members would be appreciated
• Any physical or mental concerns you may personally have that could be affecting your ability to balance family roles
Also, let it be known that any assistance offered will be greatly appreciated. Keeping everyone informed increases your odds of being able to maintain a healthy balance among the key roles in your life.
2. Practice Self-Care to Stay Healthy
You’re not going to be able to balance any family roles, including ones related to caregiving, very effectively if you’re not mindful of your own health. Keep up with your own doctors’ appointments, stay well rested, adopt or maintain healthy diet and exercise habits, and find ways to mentally unwind and relax.
Hiring a professional caregiver can ease many of your worries about balancing all your family roles. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality at-home care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
3. Set Reasonable Boundaries with Your Loved One
It may sometimes become difficult to balance caregiving with other family roles if your loved one routinely calls on you or makes requests for assistance. If instances like this often involve non-urgent needs, respectfully and calmly talk to your loved one about reasonable boundaries. This may involve setting up a mutually acceptable caregiving schedule and reminding your loved one to respect your time with the other family members in your life.
4. Learn to Prioritize
It’s okay to say “no.” This is the first step in prioritizing your various family roles plus your caregiving responsibilities. Focus on the most important tasks and responsibilities on your plate first, and fit in other demands on your time in a way that’s not overly stressful. It’s often easier to prioritize if you have cooperation and help from other family members. For instance, you might ask a responsible sibling to watch your parent while you attend a school event with your child.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Rocklin, CA, 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.
5. Supplement Your Own Efforts with In-Home Care
Affordable and flexible, in-home care can make it much easier to balance caregiving with other family roles. Because professional caregivers are carefully selected and trained to meet a wide range of needs, you can worry less and avoid spreading yourself too thin at the same time. You and your loved one can also adjust schedules with in-home care as needs change so you still have time for your other family roles.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Rocklin homecare provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737.