Though providing care for an elderly loved one can be rewarding, it can be equally challenging, and it’s easy for family caregivers to become frustrated and angry about the situation as a result. If you frequently become angry because of your caregiving duties, there are a few unique yet simple things you can do to manage your emotions.
1. Forgive Yourself for Mistakes
Making mistakes is part of being human, and the act of forgiving yourself is extremely important for your emotional and psychological wellbeing. To move forward and make permanent changes in your life, you must be able to forgive yourself for the mistakes you make while providing care for your loved one. Bottling up feelings of doubt and guilt will only increase your stress levels.
2. Become a Researcher
The symptoms of mental disorders in the elderly are often difficult for caregivers to manage. Your loved one might have emotional outbursts or refuse to take care of him or herself, and it’s important to mentally prepare yourself for these and other possibilities. If your loved one has been diagnosed with a chronic or progressive disorder, learn as much as you can about the condition and what you can do to manage the symptoms before they take a toll on your happiness.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
3. Eat Healthy Snacks
All caregivers handle hunger in slightly different ways, but some become very hostile when their blood sugar levels plummet. Try to have a healthy snack at least once every three hours to keep your blood sugar levels consistent. Healthy food options include fresh fruit, mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, jerky, and cottage cheese.
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.
4. Find a Creative Outlet
Everyone needs to have an outlet for expressing feelings and emotions in a healthy manner. Without these emotional releases, you’ll naturally repress your feelings and increase your risk of an outburst. Spend some time drawing, painting, singing, or enjoying some other creative hobby for at least a few hours every week to reduce the risk of becoming frustrated and angry.
5. Establish Daily Rituals
Even the most spontaneous people thrive on having a few key daily rituals. These ingrained habits can provide a sense of peace and continuity if you feel you have little control over the other aspects of your life. Having a cup of tea by yourself every morning or meditating for a few moments every night before bed can enrich your life and help you find balance.
Many family caregivers become agitated when they don’t receive help with their caregiving duties, and professional caregivers can be a great source of support. The type of home care Fort Lauderdale seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today.
