In yesterday’s blog post, we talked about caregiver burnout and how it can have a negative impact on the quality of care that you are able to give to your parent. Senior care of any sort is a demanding job, and family caregivers face a double whammy because of the combination of the emotional stress of the situation along with the demands of caring for someone, especially when the professional level training that career caregivers have is not in place.
This talk about stress and burnout and being overwhelmed is not intended to frighten you away from caring for an older loved one. Rather, we are hoping to give you the facts that you need if you want to do the best that you possibly can for your mom or dad. Instead of being surprised by the burden of it, we are hoping to equip you with the knowledge needed to avoid the potential pitfalls of family care.
Besides the help options and tips that we listed yesterday (get help from others, exercise, eat right), there are a few others that we wanted to cover. The first of these is to look for support groups. There are many support groups out there for family caregivers. In larger cities, these are fairly easy to find, but in smaller or rural areas, these can be tough. If you can’t find one easily, check at your county’s Department of Social Services to see if there are any public groups sponsored. Some local YMCA locations and even psychiatric practices also sponsor such groups. If all else fails, there are online support groups for those that provide care. Family caregiving is demanding, both physically and emotionally. Having the support of others and being part of a larger group can help alleviate that stress. Caregivers often comment that they feel isolated from the rest of the world. Support groups can help to fight against that feeling.
Also, make sure that you set aside personal time. If you have a job, there is a reason why you don’t work 16 hours a day and sleep in the office. Your employer knows that when you have time to pursue your own goals and desires outside of work, you come back to the office the next day rested and ready to go again. Work is stressful, after all. And if work is stressful, think about how much more stressful being a caregiver is! You need to set aside personal time, even if it is a few hours here and there. You will be a better caregiver as a result.
Finally, look for programs for your parent. There are plenty of senior-friendly activities out there. This helps boost their social lives, as well. Numerous studies have shown that increased socialization in seniors helps fight dementia.
And do know that you are not giving up or being a failure if you do need to get professional senior care. In-home care, assisted living, and respite care options are all out there to help families such as yours. These resources are there to help, and oftentimes, they are the best choice for your loved one.
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