Caregiving responsibilities can quickly add up and become an overwhelming part of your life. Naturally, you can expect to occasionally feel stressed out by your duties, but it shouldn’t be something you feel every day. Feeling overburdened is a strong indicator that you’re heading for burnout, but you have several great options for easing the strain.
Combine Housekeeping Responsibilities
You might be able to do some of your caregiving tasks along with your other daily responsibilities so they take up less time. For instance, you might be able to pick up your senior loved one’s prescription while you’re out grocery shopping for your family. Or you may be able to take your parent’s laundry to your house and wash it with yours to avoid doing multiple loads. Doubling a recipe when you’re cooking dinner so you have an extra meal to take to your loved one is another way to accomplish two tasks at once.
Ask Other Family Members to Help
People often have no idea how many challenges a caregiver faces as time goes on. If it’s been a while since you’ve talked to your family members about your role, it’s a good time to bring up the need for help. Make a list of tasks you’d love to have someone else do. Your siblings might be able to take your loved one to the doctor or stop by for a weekly lunch that gives you a break. Even small amounts of help can ease your burden.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Amarillo families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Check Out Local Community Service Organizations
Many communities provide some type of services for seniors. Your loved one might be able to have meals delivered by volunteers a few times a week, and he or she may also enjoy spending an hour or two at the local senior center. You can use the time you save with these services to focus on self-care.
Hire a Professional Home Caregiver
Sometimes you just need to know someone will always be there to help. While a family member might cancel at the last minute, a professional caregiver will always show up. You can set up regular services that completely remove certain tasks from your plate. Whether you’re ready to stop cooking multiple meals or you need someone to be there to help your loved one get dressed in the morning, you can select the services you need the most.
Senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Explore Home Automation Options
Smart home technology also gives you new ways to eliminate worries with the touch of a button. Home security products, such as doorbell cameras, allow your loved one to respond to visitors without having to open the door. If your parent does want to let someone in, he or she can use the phone to unlock it. Home automation also works for other tasks, such as turning on lights and reminding your loved one to take medication, so you can feel more secure about his or her safety and wellbeing.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Amarillo Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us at (806) 803-9991 today.