When your aging mom or dad reaches a point in their lives where they cannot take care of themselves fully, they need a family caregiver. This means you are responsible for their safety and comfort as they continue to live in their own home. While this can be a real challenge for many adult children, if the new responsibilities are not managed properly, it can result in family caregiver burnout rather quickly.
Caregiver in Sunrise FL: Ways to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
What are some of the ways that family caregivers can properly deal with added stress that is an inevitable part of caring for aging parents? Here are 5 proven stress-busters that you can incorporate into your life to help you maintain balance as you care for your elderly mom or dad.
1. Get Organized.
You and your elderly parent need to get on a weekly schedule so you both have some idea of what’s happening and when. It should outline when you will be at their house and what happens when, such as showering and dressing or meals. The schedule should include bigger things like doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping. This will help you and your parent get everything done.
2. Teach Yourself.
You’ve probably never cared for an aging parent before, so it’s time to educate yourself in many new things. You’ll need to learn all about your elderly parent’s health issues, medications, and doctors. Effective family caregivers also teach themselves a number of time-saving techniques for senior care such as creating a senior-friendly home, using community resources, and the advice of medical experts.
3. Hire a Home Care Provider.
Family caregivers should not take on the responsibility of caring for an aging adult on their own. Many adult children hire a home care provider to help with their elderly mom or dad. Home care providers are professionals who have been trained to assist seniors in their home. Home care providers can help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and pet care. They can also help the elderly person with bathing, dressing, and grooming.
4. Recognize Signs of Stress.
Many family caregivers reach the point of burnout when there were signs along the way that could have alerted them to their chronic stress. If you are feeling apathy, changes in appetite, poor sleep, mood swings, headaches, and irritability, you could be dealing with high stress levels. With chronic stress, your health could be in danger as it can be responsible for higher blood pressure, heart problems, anxiety, and depression.
5. Take Frequent Breaks.
To beat stress, make sure you get plenty of respite, focus on a healthy diet, and exercise. If you aren’t feeling healthy, your caregiving abilities will suffer, too. Make sure to get help with your caregiving responsibilities from family members, home care providers, and community resources. Then, during those breaks, choose activities that are important and restorative. Ideas include lunch with friends, shopping, reading a good book, taking a nap, walking in nature, heading to the gym, or seeing a movie.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home caregiver services in Sunrise, FL, please contact the caring staff at IDS In-Home Care today. Providing In-Home Care Services in Broward County: 954-476-5353 and Palm Beach County: 561-988-8483
Jeff Stern
Owner at IDS In-Home Care
Jeff Stern is the Owner at IDS In-Home Care.
IDS In-Home Care stands for Independence, Dignity & Security, so naturally our mission is to help our clients achieve a life of Independence and Dignity in the Security of their own homes.Posted in Caregiver in Sunrise FL, Caregiver Stress and tagged Caregiver in Sunrise FL
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