Though providing care for your senior loved one can be a rewarding experience, it’s also a huge responsibility that can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Below are five ways to help you manage your stress so you can remain strong and be a great caregiver for your loved one.
1. Remain in Good Health
Stress and depression are health problems many caregivers experience. To minimize your health risks and manage stress, you’ll need to take care of yourself. This means you should exercise on a regular basis, follow a proper diet, schedule regular medical checkups for yourself, and perhaps even meditate. By staying in good health, you can boost your emotional outlook and wellbeing and better manage your stress.
2. Take Up Hobbies
You need to maintain a life outside of caregiving. Therefore, you should do something in your free time that interests you, such as gardening, reading, or watching television. Taking up hobbies is important because it allows you to focus on yourself, relieves stress, and reminds you there’s life outside of caregiving. Even if it’s only for 5 to 10 minutes, you need to take time each day to do something you enjoy.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Align Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
3. Stay Organized
Create a calendar to help you prioritize your responsibilities. By tracking your duties as a caregiver, you won’t need to worry about forgetting a task. If you have a full-time job on top of providing care for your loved one, it’s important to remain organized in order to manage stress. When creating a schedule, include things you love to do in addition to your personal and caregiving responsibilities.
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of advice and support when it comes to organizing your caregiving responsibilities. Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide senior home care, Portland, Maine, Align Home Care has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Align Home Care to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.
4. Focus on One Thing at a Time
Doing too much at once will only add to your stress levels, which is why you shouldn’t move on to another task until you’ve completed the first one. This includes scheduling appointments, cooking meals, helping with bathing and grooming, and other important tasks.
5. Seek Respite Care
There will be times when family or friends are unable to help you care for your loved one and the stress that comes with being a caregiver becomes overwhelming, which is why you’ll need to take a break and consider respite care. Relying on professional care gives you the chance to take a few hours or even days to yourself.
With respite care, you’ll know your loved one is receiving the care he or she needs. This gives you the chance to take a break, relax, and manage your stress so you can keep providing your loved one with high-quality care. Knowing there’s always someone available to assist you with your important caregiving duties can provide you with peace of mind and relieve your 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 respite care. Portland families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Align Home Care. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. To learn more about our reliable, compassionate in-home care services, contact us at (207) 835-3490 today.