Caring for an aging loved one can lead to special bonding moments, but the role can also be mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting. Therefore, you must avoid adding any more pressure on someone who is caring for an elderly loved one. When trying to be a true friend to someone who is caring for a senior parent, the following tips can come in handy.
Take Your Friend Out to Eat
Make reservations at your friend’s favorite restaurant for lunch or dinner or pick up breakfast at a nearby venue and drop it off at his or her home. Another way to be a true friend is by preparing his or her meals for a couple of days during the week. The caregiver can store your entrées in the refrigerator and heat them when he or she is running behind schedule and doesn’t have the time to cook. Paying for your friend’s meal or cooking a favorite dish is an excellent gesture because it ensures the caregiver has a nutritious and enjoyable meal without putting in the extra work.
Be Respectful
Family caregivers turn to their friends for moral support, not for judgment and shame. A true friend will offer respect and sound advice without overstepping or judging. Keep unwanted opinions to yourself. If you feel like your comment could be hurtful, refrain from stating it, regardless of its accuracy. Remember your friend is leaning on you for support, and if you say something inconsiderate, it could harm his or her mental and emotional wellbeing. Sometimes merely listening is the best way to be a true friend to someone who is caring for an elderly parent.
For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Rocklin, CA, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break.
Offer to Help Out
You don’t need to take on all of your friend’s daily tasks, but you can run one of his or her errands, help with a household chore, or take on a caregiver-related duty. The objective is to free up some of your friend’s schedule to rest, work on a personal goal, or spend more time with his or her children. It may not seem like a significant favor, but this is an act of kindness that can enhance your friend’s mood and reduce stress.
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.
Don’t Add to Your Friend’s Responsibilities
A good friend is there to help when needed. If you’re unable to help a friend out financially, you can continue to provide emotional support, such as being there to offer a hug and words of encouragement during difficult times. Although these are characteristics of a true friend and they should be reciprocated, don’t put extra pressure on the caregiver. Your friend is already dividing his or her time among work, caregiving, and family life, and adding to those responsibilities can cause extra stress. When you’re feeling down, try to contact other mentors and friends for advice. If you need help with errands or other tasks, refrain from adding to the caregiver’s load and find an alternative solution.
If your friend is having difficulty caring for an elderly parent, suggest hiring a professional caregiver. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated elder care, Rocklin, CA, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. To hire a professionally trained caregiver, call us at (916) 226-3737 today.