Being a family caregiver doesn’t give you a pass on fulfilling your own needs. Staying in good health can boost your physical and mental abilities and enhance the type of care you provide for your senior parent. Here are some self-care strategies you should consider.
Set Boundaries
When something makes you uncomfortable, speak up. Don’t allow family members, friends, or your parent to force you into doing caregiving tasks. If you take on duties that make you uncomfortable, you may end up compromising your mental and emotional health. For example, in the event your parent experiences incontinence and you aren’t comfortable with this aspect of caregiving, delegate the responsibility to someone else. Setting boundaries doesn’t make you a bad caregiver.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care, Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Maintain a Social Life
Being a family caregiver could limit your ability to go shopping with friends, have dinner with your spouse, or attend an exercise class at the local gym. These are all social activities that can lower your risk of isolation. Some of the leading causes of caregiver anxiety are boredom and the lack of companionship, which is why you need to stay as socially active as possible. Failing to maintain a social life could increase the risk of caregiver burnout.
Visit the Doctor
Family caregivers can get so caught up in their loved ones’ care that they neglect their own needs. Many caregivers skip doctor visits because they don’t have time, but it’s important to visit the doctor at least twice every year. A physician can monitor your health and discover various medical conditions before symptoms arise. Schedule doctor visits on your days off or during your extended caregiver breaks.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to take some time off from your caregiving duties to focus on your health. Families looking for top-rated Las Vegas in-home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care Las Vegas. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
Hire Respite Care
Taking a break isn’t always easy for family caregivers, especially when their siblings fail to help out. However, hiring respite care allows you to take a break and get the relaxation your body needs. In addition to giving you a break, respite care services can also be used to simplify daily tasks. For example, if you work a full-time job, you can use respite care services as needed instead of taking time off from work.
If your loved one is recovering from an illness, accident, or surgical procedure, a respite caregiver can facilitate the recovery process. Opting for respite care saves time, energy, and money without compromising your health or your loved one’s wellbeing.
Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Las Vegas families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home. Call Assisting Hands Home Care at 702-919-0231 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.
