Ways to Ease the Worry About Your Aging Parents' Health
Even if your aging loved ones are in good health, it's natural to worry about their well-being and the uncertainty of your future together. Approximately 44 million adult Americans are providing care to their aging parents, and it can be an emotionally taxing time despite the desire to help. As our loved ones decline in mobility and have more limited independence, a lot of responsibility shifts from the parent to the child, but it does not all have to rest on you.
Make a long-term plan
Assessing your parents' situation will help create a clear picture of what kind of support you need to provide going forward. Financially, be aware of what your parents' plan includes under Medicare or Medicaid or reach out to insurance companies to see if long-term health insurance is an option. Ensuring that your parents' needs are covered going forward will be an enormous weight off your shoulders.
Round out this long-term plan by including health goals and dietary needs in your planning. Exercise remains an important part of body and brain health as we age, and it's important to regularly incorporate it into your parents' routine with activities they can continue as they age. Healthy diets can look different to everyone but be sure to pay special attention to your healthcare provider's advice on which foods to avoid, such as limiting sugar and salt.
Lastly, your plan can include helping hands beyond your own.
Ask for help
It's natural to hesitate to ask for help, especially with something as important and delicate as your parents' care. You may worry about trusting someone else, or you may be concerned with passing the stress you experience on to someone else. These natural feelings are a sign that you care deeply, but it is okay to ask for help when you need it.
Many relatives and friends are willing to lend a hand for this important task, and your parents will likely find comfort in seeing a familiar face. The struggles in caring for your parents are shared by so many adults, and your friends and family likely understand the concerns that you have, some from personal experience.
When your parents are struggling with chronic or advancing disease, a Visiting Angels Barrington caregiver can provide specialized care based on your loved one's medical needs. They are equipped to handle Alzheimer's Disease and dementia care, which require different types of assistance. No one expects you to know how to handle these situations without some help, and a caregiver can be a relief and a trusted companion to your loved one.
Take care of yourself
If you don't reach out for help when you need it, you are likely to become overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotional, and providing care to your parents is an around-the-clock job. Running through your to-do list and helping parents to accomplish daily tasks can leave little room for you to think of your own well-being. However, it's important to stop and check-in with yourself to notice any potential signs of caregiver stress syndrome. Caregiver stress involves burnout due to neglecting your own needs for the needs of others, and symptoms of depression affect 20 to 40% of all caregivers. Some signs to look for include:
- Anger
- Social isolation
- Anxiety or depression
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
- Lowered quality of sleep or general health
These qualities are red flags that it's time to slow down and decompress. Don't neglect your own healthy eating, exercise and downtime. A support group can help you feel less isolated and more empowered, and weekly sessions with a counselor may help release any bottled-up emotion or conflict.
However, despite the struggles they experience, nine out of 10 caregivers surveyed said that even with all the burdens, caring for their loved ones is worthwhile.
Let go of guilt
The "what ifs" are always going to populate in the back of your mind. You may wish you had done things differently or that you'd recognized a problem sooner—these feelings are natural. Always remind yourself that you are doing the best that you can in the situation that you're in. If guilt still creeps in, remind yourself that what's happened has happened, and tomorrow is a fresh start to be the best caregiver you can be.
Visiting Angels Barrington is available to provide comprehensive care to your aging parents in Barrington, Algonquin, Palatine, Lake Zurich, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, Cary and the surrounding areas. We are dedicated to providing compassionate living assistance in the comfort of your loved one's homes to serve their unique needs and preferences. Get in touch today to discuss ways to assist in your caregiving journey at (224) 512-4180.