Taking care of an aging parent is a great responsibility, but it can bring a lot of stress and anxiety into your life due to trying to balance your own needs with your loved one’s. Stress and anxiety could lead to serious health conditions if you’re not careful. The following six strategies can help you manage your anxiety so you aren’t constantly overwhelmed.
1. Do Something Healthy
The more you ignore your own health, the more anxious you may become. Set a health goal for the day, and make sure to follow it. The goal may be to get an hour of exercise or eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you can’t leave your loved one, go for a walk together or prepare a meal for both of you.
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. Don’t Ignore the Outside World
Don’t turn down every invitation to go out with friends. Isolation is a major cause of anxiety and depression for caregivers. Try not to feel guilty if you want to meet a former coworker for lunch, go shopping with a friend, or even go out on a date.
3. Get Organized
Managing your life and your loved one’s care can be overwhelming, but staying organized can keep anxiety at bay. Keep copies of important papers, make to-do lists, take advantage of organizational apps, and try to maintain a daily or weekly schedule. Take care of any pending projects so you aren’t constantly pulled in different directions.
4. Relax & Enjoy Life
With so much to do, it can be easy to forget to stop and take a breather each day. Many caregivers lose interest in activities they once enjoyed because they don’t find the time anymore. If you enjoy reading, painting, playing tennis, or any other hobby, make sure you keep it a part of your life. Alternatively, schedule time to take a quiet walk through a park, watch a movie, or enjoy a warm bath.
5. Take Advantage of Community Resources
You’re not alone in your caregiving duties. There are thousands just like you out there. Find out if your community has a support group, and consider attending it. Look for other resources, such as respite care, for those times when you do need to take care of your own life.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Barrie, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.
6. Allow Others to Help
No one can do everything alone. Eventually, you’re going to need to ask someone else to step in and do something, and that’s okay. Let your cousin make dinner once a week or allow a neighbour to take your loved one to the grocery store. You can also let a friend come sit with your aging relative while you go to the gym, get your hair done, or take a nap.
Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to delegate your caregiving duties to make some time for yourself. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional in-home care, Barrie 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. Whether your parent needs respite or live-in care, give us a call at 647-970-3803 today.