When most people think about caregiving, they think about doing something good for their aging adult. They don’t realize that they can easily allow caregiving to wear them out fully if they’re not careful.
Write Down What You Do and Get Help
If you’re like most caregivers, you don’t realize everything that you do. Start writing down all of the different tasks that you perform in order to take care of your aging adult. Once you can see it all in one place, it’s much easier to see where you need more help. Start getting help for smaller tasks now and then work on bigger ways of getting more help. Make sure that you also start including taking care of yourself as part of your regular tasks so that you start doing that more often.
Take Little Breaks throughout the Day
Think for a moment about people who work in a factory or an office. They take breaks throughout the day instead of working non-stop. Caregivers, on the other hand, tend to run themselves into the ground all day long. Give yourself smaller breaks all throughout the day. Actually, sit down for lunch. Take the time to have a cup of tea in the afternoon. It all adds up.
Take Bigger Breaks with the Help of Respite Care
In addition to smaller breaks, you also need to be taking larger breaks. Hiring elder care providers allows you to leave someone with your aging adult while you are elsewhere. You can then leave caregiving at home and give your brain and your body some rest. Don’t worry too much about what you’ll do first. It’s important to line up the help and actually take the break when the time comes.
Find Someone You Can Talk To
Friends, family, or even a therapist can all help you when you need to talk to someone. You might also want to consider joining a support group so that you can meet other caregivers who are in similar situations as yourself. It’s vital for you to have access to people who understand what you’re going through and who can talk you through what you’re feeling.
When you’re ignoring what you need, it wears you down, bit by bit. Taking care of yourself is not a selfish act. In regards to caregiving, taking better care of yourself enables you to be a much better caregiver now and into the future. If you don’t, you might find that your caregiving journey is shorter than you expected.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Senior Care in Chino Hills, CA, contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Homecare today at 951-382-5266.
About Kristi Duran
Kristi Duran is the owner of No Place Like Home Homecare. Kristi started NPLH because of her absolute love for seniors. She was raised by her grandparents from the day she was born. Kristi has a special connection to seniors and understands their wishes and needs to stay independent.
Kristi has worked in the medical field for years and has seen first-hand how aging seniors want nothing more than to age in the comfort of their own home with dignity and grace. At NPLH, she and her caregivers insure that this happens.
NPLH is not a large franchise. It is a personal family owned homecare service. This insures a one on one personalized touch. Kristi is available 24 hours a day to her clients and their families.