Stress Reduction Tips for Caregivers

As your parents age, a whole new group of medical problems can come into fruition. Whether your parents are diagnosed with a disease or they have trouble moving around, you might have to take on the role of a caregiver. This role can lead you to experience a lot of stress. How can you reduce it?


Don't Deny Help

Chances are, people are going to offer to help you from time-to-time. Of course, you do not want to start taking advantage of them and expecting them to complete all of your duties, but nothing is wrong with saying yes once in awhile. Allowing your uncle to drive your mother to the store or letting your mother-in-law sit with your father to complete some puzzles is not going to hurt anyone. Doing so will also allow you to have a little bit of time to yourself.


Using The Necessary Tools and Assistance

If you try to accomplish everything without professional assistance, you are just asking for trouble. Speak with the doctors about a care plan that makes sense for your parents, and be sure to follow through with it. You should also ask about any tools, such as a bathtub seat or extra rails on the stairs, that could make your life easier. When you do not have a medical plan and a care plan, unexpected issues can certainly cause a lot of stress. While these issues will still arise, you will have a better scope through which to look at and solve them.


Take Care of Yourself

Yes, you probably want to put your parents first, and you feel that you do not have to allocate any time to yourself. However, if you fall ill or are not in good health, then you are not going to be able to take care of them. You still need to eat healthy foods, get a decent night's sleep and exercise when possible. Even though you are eating much more quickly these days, you can bring along plenty of healthy snacks. Prepare big salads that can be divided up and take them with you to your parents house.


The Overnight Situation

During the day, you might feel that you are able to handle everything without a ton of stress on your schedules. Still, you just do not know what to do about the night. You absolutely cannot act as a caregiver 24/7, or you are going to become run-down. Do your parents live with any of your other siblings? While the night caregivers do not always have to be awake throughout all the dark hours, they should be nearby and able to easily wake-up if an emergency happens. If your parents require constant care throughout the night, you should consider hiring an in-home service provider.


Have Some Fun

You might think that having fun is impossible at this point in your life, but it is healthy for both you and your parents. You do not have to go on some elaborate vacation. Instead, find things that they like to do at home. For example, if they always loved to play cards, why not bring out a deck? When they are having memory troubles and are not the same as they used to be, you can try some simpler games to help jog their minds and entertain them.


Get Outside

You absolutely must get outside. Otherwise, you are going to feel as though you are trapped in a tiny space without any escape. Go for a jog around the block, or you can sit outside on the front porch with your parents. Unless the doctor said not to do it, some fresh air is going to be good for you. Just remember that sunscreen!


Basically, being a caregiver for your parents can be a major challenge. Fortunately, these tips will teach you how to reduce the levels of stress you are feeling.