It’s very common for family caregivers who are taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s to get overwhelmed. Taking care of a family, a senior parent, working, and just surviving these days is enough to make anyone stressed. Sometimes all it takes is one bad day or one emergency to push caregivers to the brink because they are already experiencing a high level of stress. Hiring Alzheimer’s home care providers to step in regularly can help to alleviate some stress.
The good news is that there are lots of things that you can do to restore some order to the chaos and feel like you’re in control again. Taking care of a senior parent with Alzheimer’s can be difficult, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the parent you love.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or you’re worried about becoming overwhelmed as a caregiver use these tips to relax and avoid burnout:
Make Self Care Non-Negotiable
You need to take care of yourself first, then you can take care of others. Put time into your schedule for the things that you need to do for yourself. Get your hair cut. Get your nails done. Book a massage. Schedule time to exercise. You must meet your own needs first. If you don’t, you won’t be an effective caregiver. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. This is when Alzheimer’s home care providers can step in.
Keep Your Expectations Realistic
One of the reasons why caregivers often get overwhelmed is that they overestimate what they can do. You’re not a superhero. You can’t meet the needs of everyone in your life. Adjust your expectations so that you’re not constantly feeling guilty or like you’ve failed if you don’t get everything on your to-do list done in a day.
Ask for Help
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family or to hire professional care providers. If you are caring for a senior parent with Alzheimer’s, specialized Alzheimer’s home care is a great way to give yourself a break while also helping your senior parent. Building a support network can significantly alleviate the burden of caregiving.
Use Respite Care
Take advantage of respite care services that provide temporary relief for caregivers. Whether it’s a few hours or a day, respite care allows caregivers to step away and focus on their needs, reducing stress and preventing burnout. If you’re caring for a senior parent with Alzheimer’s getting Alzheimer’s home care for your senior parent so you can take time off is essential to your health.
Set Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries between your caregiving responsibilities and personal life. Create a schedule that includes dedicated time for self-care and leisure activities. Communicate these boundaries to others involved in the caregiving process, ensuring everyone understands and respects your need for personal time.
Join A Support Group
Caregiving can be emotionally taxing, and having a support system is crucial. Connect with other caregivers, join support groups, or seek the guidance of a therapist or counselor. Sharing your experiences, thoughts, and emotions with others who understand can provide validation and alleviate feelings of isolation.
Celebrate Small Victories
Recognize and celebrate the small victories and positive moments in your caregiving journey. It could be a moment of connection with your senior parent who has Alzheimer’s, achieving a caregiving goal, or receiving gratitude from the person you are caring for. Acknowledging these successes contributes to a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care Services in Berkeley Heights NJ, please contact the caring staff at Helping Hands Homecare today. Call (908) 418-4299
Helping Hands Homecare provides Senior Home Care Services throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, including Clark, Westfield, Cranford, Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, Edison, Elizabeth, Mountainside, Short Hills, Millburn, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Kenilworth, Chatham, Madison, Metuchen, and surrounding areas.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a BS in finance Helping Hands Homecare’s Owner / President, Robert D’Arienzo, went to work on Wall St. for six years. However, after Robert’s grandmother became ill with stomach cancer Robert and his family needed to find assistance in the home for her. After many trials and tribulations Robert could see that there was a great need for quality home care services here in NJ and loved the idea of being able to assist other families who were going through what his family went through with his beloved grandmother.
Thus, Robert had found his passion. After almost a year of preparation Robert opened Helping Hands Homecare in 2003. Robert wanted Helping Hands Homecare to focus on providing the highest quality of caregivers, exceptional customer service, and providing a service that familys could depend on in their time of need. Since then Helping Hands has assisted hundreds of individuals with the simplest of needs to more complex cases while preserving those standards set out many years ago.
Robert is a Google Verified Author
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