SELF CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER

_{Five Strategies to Help You Cope with the Demands of Caregiving}

Caregiving can be complicated. It may mean assisting with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, eating, mobility, and dressing. It also could include accompaniment to medical appointments, socialization, and engagement. During this time, caring for yourself is essential and ironically, self-care is often overlooked.

Caring for the caregiver is a key component of successful long-term caregiving. In the absence of help, you’re more likely to become exhausted and stressed. That can easily lead to health problems and limit your ability to provide care for others. It is so important to find caregiving help. Allowing you to take regular breaks and to have the time to tend to your own health and well-being.

Even though it can take some initial consideration on your part to create a network of support that you need, the positive effect on you makes it worth it in the long run.

Here are five ideas to help you find the time you need to take those well-deserved breaks. Take the time to rest, recharge, and keep going.

1. Call On Family And Friends 

Sometimes family or friends just don’t know where or how they can be helpful. Others might feel that you don’t want or need any help (especially if you don’t ask for it). They just might not realize how much time, energy, and sacrifice caregiving really takes.

Give them the opportunity to help by asking them for specific things. Some examples are like running errands, performing small fix-it jobs around the house, doing online research, etc. Play to someone’s strengths and they will often be eager to help!

2. Hire For Things You Need

Being a caregiver includes a lot more responsibility than just hands-on caring for a person. Arranging for someone to help you with non-caregiving tasks. Taking those things off your to-do list and results in a bit more time for yourself.

This could include using a grocery and/or meal delivery service, getting help with laundry, hiring a housekeeper, hiring a landscaper, or having a handyman come once a month.

3. Hire an In-Home Caregiver

As your loved one’s care needs increase, they’ll need more and more help with activities of daily living. These are items like eating, bathing, dressing, and moving around. As a result, your days and nights can become consumed with these activities.

Having in-home caregiving  help is especially important if your older adult isn’t sleeping well. You might not be getting the rest you need at night. An in-home caregiver can help you take regular breaks so you can take care of yourself.

It will make a huge difference in your quality of life and health if you have someone take over a few nights a week.  You have options from hourly home care, overnight to 24/7 home care.  

4. Adult Day Programs Offer Caregivers A Break 

There are several respite care programs that offer companionship and social engagement for seniors during the day. This may include meals and even transportation to and from the program.

This type of respite can provide much-needed breaks to reduce stress on the caregiver and prevent burnout. Many older adults often benefit from the added social interaction.

5. Join a Caregiver Support Group

There is something so nourishing about being with others who are experiencing something akin to your challenges. Caregiving can often contribute to feelings of isolation. Having the network to share your experiences with and even hearing your own thoughts echoed in their words can create a connection that is special and uplifting. 

The process can be very overwhelming.  Rather than going at it alone, find peace of mind with Amethyst Home Care by your side.  Call Amethyst for a free home assessment to help you evaluate the care needs. We will help you put a care plan together of solutions and relieve stress. 

If you or a loved one is in Myrtle Beach, Grand Dunes, Pawleys Island, Litchfield, or within the Horry County area and you have any questions or concerns about their health, please give Amethyst Home Care a call at (843) 984-0739, toll-free (800) 476-7059 or email us at info@amethysthomecare-com.us13.cdn-alpha.com to meet with one of our RNs for a more comprehensive personalized home assessment.