How to Handle the Stress of Being an Adult Child Caregiver
If you are caring for your elderly mom or dad because they are choosing to age in place rather than transition to a nursing home, you may be stressed. The truth is most people have no idea what a senior mom or dad needs until it is happening, and by then, you have already taken on a ton of responsibilities, and you may be overwhelmed. So, how can you handle the stress of caring for your elderly family member without making them feel guilty or bad about needing care in their older age? Here are some tips to consider when you become overwhelmed and stressed.
Take Care of Yourself
It can be easy to put yourself on the back burner when you are caring for someone else. You may not feel like you have time for yourself because you are helping your mom or dad. You are shopping for them, cooking for them, bathing them, clothing them, and providing transportation. It can be so easy to forget about yourself and your needs and stop doing the things you need to do to thrive. This can lead to greater stress. So, the first thing you can do is set aside for yourself every single day to ensure you are giving yourself love and attention. Once you do that, you can take care of your loved one, and this will help battle the stress you feel.
Reflect on the Current Situation
When you’re caught up in the moment, it is easy to get overwhelmed, stressed, and even agitated, especially with your loved one. Of course, you don’t mean to be angry with them but emotions can run high when caregiving around the clock. The most important thing you can do is step back and look at the current situation. Why is your loved one being more difficult today? How would you react if you were in their position? You can ask yourself these questions when things become too much to handle. Reflecting on your actions without judgment can also be a great way to figure out why you’re feeling overwhelmed and what you can do to become less stressed.
Give Yourself a Break
When you are caring for your seniors all of the time, it can be easy to stop taking breaks. It’s like a full-time job that does not pay and does not give you lunch breaks. So, what can you do? Get out of the house for a bit and give yourself a chance to relax somewhere you are not on “duty,” this will help you feel refreshed when you go back home. Have lunch with a friend, drink with your neighbors, or visit another sibling for a day. This will help you feel like you have more than just caregiving going.
Hire More Help
As an adult child caregiver, you may start to realize you need more help to manage your stress level. This is okay and should not be shamed in any way. Your loved one may need all-around care, or they may not want you to put all your energy into them. If your loved one needs help morning and night it’s time to look for 24-hour home care to help your family and make things easier for you and your parents. 24-hour home care is one of the best professionals because you can rest when needed and come back to help your loved one better than before.