Taking on the family caregiver role brings with it challenges and rewards unlike any other. Upon making this change, you’ll likely be bombarded with advice for caregiving techniques from all sides. This is useful advice, of course, but there are other crucial things to remember when becoming a caregiver that will help you offer your loved one the best support possible.
It isn’t the same as raising a child
It’s possible that you are in the process of raising, or have already raised, children. With this experience under their belts, many individuals believe they know exactly what it takes to care for an elderly parent or other loved one. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth.
A senior citizen isn’t someone who needs to be taught the difference between right and wrong. They are independent adults who once held a job and raised a family of their own. Infantilizing them will not only feel disrespectful, but minimizing. It is important you speak to them the same way you would speak to any other adult. If they are still physically able, allow them to complete certain tasks on their own so they feel a sense of accomplishment.
Let them keep some independence
As briefly mentioned above, it is important to not take away your loved one’s independence all at once. Barring serious injury or medical crisis, it’s likely your loved one doesn’t need or want you to take over every aspect of their life quite yet. You may be well-meaning, but doing so can make the person you’re caring for feel invalid, which can be depressing.
Sit down with them to assess what it is they need help with, and what they can do on their own. Have them maintain whatever activities of daily living they enjoy for as long as possible, as this will be beneficial to their morale. If any important life decisions come up, make sure they are included in these conversations.
Caregiving can cause a strain on personal relationships
Life can already feel overwhelming at times. Adding caregiving responsibilities to the mix of work and personal life takes that to another level. Many caregivers find they don’t have the free time they once had to enjoy an evening with friends and other loved ones. This can put a strain on personal relationships.
In order to avoid that problem, inform your loved ones on what you’re going through. Let them know that your caregiving responsibilities may cause you to miss certain social gatherings. Keep them involved in your life by staying in contact through calls or messaging. For both the sake of your relationship and mental health, occasionally arrange for someone to watch your loved one on your behalf.
Prioritize your health
A mistake many caregivers make is to push aside their needs for the sake of their loved ones. As their caregiver, they believe the needs of their loved one come before anything else. This is obviously a high priority, however, you won’t be able to offer your loved one the care they need if you don’t care for yourself first.
While you offer support to a loved one, don’t forget to support yourself too. This means eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and making time for exercise every week. It is also crucial that set aside time to address your mental health needs by practicing mindfulness or working on a hobby. Spending time with friends and family will also make a big difference.
If you’re experiencing signs of burnout, call a respite caregiver
Caregiver burnout should never be ignored. When you’re not feeling your best, you can’t give the best care. So, don’t let yourself get to this point. Instead, call upon the support of a respite caregiver. These professionals are trained to assist with any non-medical activities of daily living, so you can be certain your elderly loved one is in good hands.
If you’re curious about how a respite caregiver can help, call us at (623) 526-6367.
