Caring for a loved one can be an overwhelming task resulting in stress. The emotional and physical demands can lead to anxiety, depression, isolation and, unfortunately even resentment. These feelings can be common when providing care for a loved one.
Conversely, providing loving care does have its rewards. Caregivers are compassionate, patient, attentive, dependable and trustworthy; attributes that enable them to thrive with seniors in need of living assistance.
If you are feeling guilty, numb, angry, irritable or exhausted, caregiver stress may be the culprit.
Alleviating this stress is vital, both for you and the person you’re providing care. Unfortunately, fatigue-related mistakes, even by well-intentioned caregivers, can be fatal. It’s important, too, to protect your existing relationship, prior to the care — whether it’s parent and child, husband and wife or otherwise. Caregiving provides family members with a wide array of highs and lows that can change in a moment’s time or over the course of care needed. The one element that can never be replaced is our relationship with our family. If you are caring for your mom or dad, you are always that person’s daughter or son. Use these 10 tips to help you steer clear of caregiver stress, keep your loved one safe and protect (or restore) that loving relationship while keeping your peace of mind:
Visiting Angels offers free in-home consultations. Complete our care inquiry form and we’ll call you within 15 minutes, or call us now: (800) 365-4189.
More Hints, Tips & Advice
I would highly recommend Visiting Angels of Eastern Idaho for anyone who wants to have in-home care for their loved one. I really appreciate the fact that they send the same Angel each time so your loved one can build a relationship with their Angel and the Angel can get to know your loved one and recognize an changes in mood or behavior that could be concerning. To them, their clients are more like family than just another job to do.