Being a caregiver is a demanding position to be in. Many would argue that senior care is one of the toughest jobs. You want to make sure you’re doing your best to care for your loved one while avoiding burn out and overwhelming stress.
Caring for your elderly loved one at home is amazing and hard. To keep your aging loved one at home for as long as possible, you must find a sustainable way of caring for them. Here are three tips that can help you keep a pace that’s sustainable.
- Understand what they need from you.
The first step is to find out what your elderly loved one needs from you. A good tool is to keep a log of the care they need. By logging their needs, you can physically see when they need the most care and how much they rely on you.
Keeping this log can also show you changes in their abilities over time if you keep up with it. Our memories don’t always do us justice, so if you have something you can look at that shows their progression, it may be easier for you to adjust your care accordingly.
- Be realistic about the care you can provide.
Some caregivers believe that they can tackle this on their own. If your elderly loved one needs a lot of supervision and assistance, it may be impossible for you to take care of them without help. If you were to ignore this, you could end up being burnt out and unable to care for them in the long run.
To avoid this, it’s better to find help that can ease the stress. This will lead to a more sustainable way of caregiving. There are programs that can allow you to get the break you need, such as an adult day program or a senior companion program.
- Know how to reduce financial pressure.
When you care for an elderly loved one, there is a financial burden that arises. You have so much on your plate already because of your 24-hour job. The last thing you want to think about is how you can get financial support. Because you’re supporting your elderly loved one, you may be able to receive added financial support. There are government programs your loved one may be eligible for and you may be eligible for a tax relief for being a caregiver.
To give your loved one the best care for the longest amount of time, it’s important to know what you can physically do. Know your limits and what is expected from you. If you’re realistic, you can give your loved one great care for a long time.
