Caregivers are often warned about burnout, but it’s normal to think it could never happen to you. After all, you love your aging parent, and you’ve always been known for taking charge of any situation. However, caregiver burnout can sneak up on you, and it’s possible you lack the same energy and sense of joy you had before. When burnout has already occurred, you can revive your former sense of passion for caregiving by following these tips.
Schedule a Health Assessment
The symptoms of burnout can often accompany other health conditions, such as depression or poor nutrition. It’s also common for caregivers to overlook their health when they’re busy taking their loved ones to doctors’ appointments. Schedule a checkup for yourself now to make sure you don’t have an underlying condition contributing to your stress.
Identify Major Stressors
Caregiving is like any other type of job because you may love some tasks, while you find other duties more stressful. Sit down and take a look at your day to determine if there are certain parts of your loved one’s routine that stress you out. For instance, having someone else handle your parent’s personal hygiene care may alleviate a significant part of your stress.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of in-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Hire a Respite Caregiver
Taking a break is important, but you may skip things such as going for a walk when you feel like you have no one else to take over your loved one’s care. Professional respite care is designed specifically to give family caregivers a break, and it’s best to utilize this service on a regular basis. For instance, you could have a professional caregiver visit your loved one twice a week for lunch so you benefit from knowing you have a break planned.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Fort Lauderdale families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Join a Support Group
One thing many caregivers find helpful for overcoming stress is attending support group meetings. At a support group, you can meet with other caregivers and learn about the strategies they use to prevent burnout. Having a group of people who understand your situation also makes it easier to reach out for help when you notice the symptoms of burnout showing up again.
Prioritize Your Happiness
As a caregiver, you live for those moments when you know you’ve made your loved one smile. However, it’s also important for you to be happy because your loved one benefits when you arrive to help with his or her daily routine with a smile on your face. Write down a few things that bring you joy, such as enjoying a hike in the wilderness or getting a manicure. Then make it a point to do at least one of those things each day so you can maintain your own personal happiness.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional home care, Fort Lauderdale Assisting Hands Home Care 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. If you need professional care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today.