Caregivers do best when they have a full range of support. Your senior loved one depends on you to be mentally and physically healthy, and you simply cannot do your job when you’re burdened by stress. Start taking care of yourself today by making sure you follow these steps to get the assistance you need to be a great caregiver.
Make a List of Your Responsibilities
Many caregivers aren’t fully aware of everything they accomplish in one day. You may have people ask how they may help, but you don’t even know the answer. To get a better idea of what you need, make a list. Start with your morning routine and work your way through to the evening. Make sure to include even the most menial tasks, such as feeding your loved one’s pets or taking out the trash.
Mark the Tasks You Want to Delegate
Seeing your responsibilities add up may be mind-altering. Instead of feeling stressed out by everything you must do, begin the process of finding duties you may delegate to others. Use a highlighter or make a mark next to each one. For instance, you could delegate the task of providing your loved one with medication reminders to a professional caregiver who is trained to handle the task. Meanwhile, your sibling might be able to drop off groceries on the weekend. Every little bit helps.
Keep Your Emotional Needs in Mind
Certain burdens that fall on caregivers are invisible. Worrying about your loved one’s health or trying to do too much leads to burnout. As you make your plans for assistance, remember you need occasional breaks. You may also benefit from seeing a counselor or joining a support group. Add respite care to the list so you have regular breaks to recover from the stress.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide home care service. Northern Kentucky families who want to prevent burnout may turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers may assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Hold a Family Meeting
Your family and friends should be the first people you turn to for help. Hold a meeting or make a few phone calls to ask each person to help you with a task on your list. As you do, try to determine if each person is able to follow through. This way, you won’t be taken by surprise if someone who agrees at first eventually backs out.
Search for Professional Caregivers
Professional home caregivers are known for reliability. They also have training that helps them handle challenging caregiving duties with ease. When you search for a caregiver, mention any special needs your parent has to ensure you get someone who is the right fit. Then include your loved one in the selection process so he or she feels comfortable with the person providing the care.
An experienced professional caregiver may be a wonderful asset for you and your family as you manage the many responsibilities that go with providing care for your loved one. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide elder care, Assisting Hands Home Care has much to offer your family and your older loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
Set Clear Expectations & Communicate
Having help with your loved one’s care may give you a warm feeling of support that lets you know you’re able to handle anything. As you begin to share duties with other people, make sure to clearly define what you need. As a final note, set up a communication system so everyone stays on the same page about changes in the routine.
Being a caregiver for a loved one may be extremely rewarding, but it may also feel overwhelming at times. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an aging loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality senior care, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call Assisting Hands Home Care of Northern Kentucky at (859)-444-5699 today.
