Caring for a senior loved one on a regular basis could take a toll on your physical and mental health. You might begin to experience symptoms of caregiving-related stress, such as getting frequent headaches or feeling overwhelmed. Here are a few ways to manage caregiving-related stress so you can enhance your quality of life.
1. Take Care of Your Health
Providing care for your loved one shouldn’t come at the expense of your own health and wellbeing. When you take good care of yourself, you may feel calmer and more relaxed. Set health goals, such as getting a certain amount of exercise each day and eating nutritious foods.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Practise Stress Management Techniques
There are several stress management techniques you can try, such as doing yoga, meditating, writing in a journal, and doing deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help you prepare for the day or unwind at the end of the day so you can get a good night’s sleep. You can also practise one or more stress management techniques in the middle of the day when you need a break from caregiving.
3. Find a Support Group
Support groups for caregivers can provide you with social and emotional support from others who understand what you’re going through. Caregiver support groups give you a chance to talk about the stress you’re experiencing and hear others discuss the challenges they face. Other caregivers can also give you advice and guidance that can help you handle specific issues or manage stress in general.
4. Set Smaller Goals
Having a lot of caregiving tasks to accomplish may leave you feeling more stressed than usual. Breaking these tasks into smaller goals for the day may make it easier for you to get through your list without feeling overwhelmed. Taking time to prioritize the items on your list can help you stay focused throughout the day. Instead of spending time figuring out which task to do next, you’ll be able to move down your list of tasks smoothly.
5. Set Aside Time for Yourself
Setting aside some time for yourself each day can relieve stress. Reserve a reasonable amount of time every day to do something you enjoy, such as reading a book or taking a relaxing bath. Taking breaks to focus on your own wellbeing can provide you with renewed energy for caregiving tasks the following day.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Oakville, ON, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
6. Seek Help
If caregiving duties have you feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to help. Professional caregivers can handle caregiving tasks so you can take a break. Depending on your needs, you can hire a caregiver to take care of your loved one a few days a week or stop by for a couple of hours each day to help out.
Delegating your caregiving duties to a professional is one of the best ways to relieve stress. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior care, Oakville Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (905) 337-1200 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.