As a caregiver, you are strong, committed, and loving. That being said, taking care of a parent or loved one is a huge time commitment that comes with a lot of responsibility and sometimes overwhelming stress.
As a new caregiver, you can ensure the happiness of you and your loved one by following these five tips from Centers Choice Home Care:
Establish A Routine
Visit with your loved one and create a schedule with mealtimes, baths, errands, etc. By sticking to a routine, you can eliminate some of the guesswork each day and will make sure your responsibilities run smoothly.
Ask for Help
Caregiving is a difficult job, but you don’t have to go at it alone. If you need help, ask for it! If someone offers help, accept it. You and your loved one will be glad you did!
Find a Caregiver Support Group
It can be beneficial to attend a support group meeting at least once per month. Support groups offer a community of people in a similar situation and are excellent places to air grievances and to learn healthy tips so you can best support your loved one.
Set Boundaries
Combat resentment, feelings of isolation, and burnout by establishing healthy boundaries with your role as a caregiver. Some boundary examples include taking a few hours off each day to do something you enjoy, going out to dinner once or twice per week, paying an in-home caregiver to sit in when you need a break.
Take Notes
There is a lot to remember at the beginning of your caregiving journey —medication schedules, doctor’s appointments, grocery lists, etc. Be sure to always have a notebook handy to write down important notes throughout the day.
To learn more about Centers Choice Home Care and all of the services they offer, visit http://www.centerschoice.com.
