Caregiving is a complicated role, especially for people who have no experience with this type of commitment. However, creating a checklist can help you balance the responsibilities that come with being a family caregiver. Here are some things to add to your checklist when caring for an aging parent.
Maintain a Schedule
Procrastination is a common issue among family caregivers, and it can lead to stress and anxiety. However, having a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule in place could help you stay organized and prevent stress caused by procrastination. If you procrastinate, you could put your loved one’s health in jeopardy. For example, if you put off meal prep, you might end up grabbing something unhealthy to eat that raises your loved one’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Good time management can help you perform tasks that need to be done instead of procrastinating.
Delegate Caregiving Duties
The biggest mistake most caregivers make is going into the role with little or no help. Caregiving may seem like a simple role, but it can be very challenging, depending on your loved one’s needs, which makes asking for help crucial. Before accepting the role, speak with your siblings and other family members about helping. Delegating the caregiving duties gives you more time to focus on your own needs and goals. Another option is to use respite care, which gives you the ability to continue with your daily tasks without taking on too much. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your loved one is getting the care he or she needs, even while you’re away.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Edmonton families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
Create a Support System
A support system can include a family member who listens when you need to talk, a mentor from work, or members of a caregiver support group. Maintaining a support group can reduce the stress that comes with being a family caregiver, preventing the risk of depression and other emotional health issues. When speaking with the people in your support system, you can be honest and open without feeling embarrassed or guilty. A mentor can help you see things from a clearer perspective, giving you tips and advice to use going forward. By creating a support system, you’ll have someone to talk to when caregiving becomes overwhelming.
Caring for a senior loved one 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 Edmonton 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.
Put Your Health First
Most caregivers find their needs at the bottom of the to-do list, so they fall behind on doctor visits, meal prep, and exercise. Your caregiver checklist should include activities that benefit your own physical, mental, and emotional health, such as staying physically and socially active. Just like your parent needs to visit the doctor regularly, so do you. Failing to put your health first increases the risk of caregiver burnout. Remember, it will be difficult to provide adequate care to your parent if your own health is compromised.
While the items on this checklist can help family caregivers manage their caregiving responsibilities, there may be a time when professional assistance is needed. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide in-home care. Edmonton families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. Call Home Care Assistance at (780) 490-7337 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.