Now that you’ll be spending more time with your senior loved one, you want to know you’re always at your best. Caregiving is hard work, but it also comes with the reward of knowing you influence your loved one’s wellbeing. These seven tips can help you ensure you’re always doing your best to make your loved one feel cherished.
1. Make Learning a Priority
Your loved one’s health is constantly changing, which means you must stay on top of it all to know how to help. Be willing to research new ways to make accommodations, and ask your parent’s physician for information about any new health diagnosis. Knowledge is the power that helps you give your loved one everything he or she needs to flourish under your care.
2. Accept Your Limits
You may want to do it all, but everyone has certain things they don’t excel at. Whether you’ve never been able to figure out how to cook or you aren’t comfortable bathing your loved one, make sure to reach out for help with the things you feel like you don’t do well. Your loved one will benefit from having another caregiver’s expertise, and you can focus on what you do best.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Edmonton, AB, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
3. Keep Your Sense of Humour
You can expect to have a few frustrating moments as a caregiver. However, keeping a sense of humour may help you laugh off the minor challenges that arise each day. Decide to keep smiling and laughing, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how much this influences your loved one’s mood.
4. Plan Unexpected Moments to Inspire Happiness
It’s easy to get so busy doing chores that you forget to find joy in your everyday routine. Make it a point to do something unexpected each week. Whether you compliment your loved one’s new hairstyle or show up with his or her favourite treat, unexpected pampering sets a positive tone for the day.
You can hire a professional caregiver for a more personal caregiving experience during times you’re not around. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of in-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
5. Employ Active Listening Techniques
Your loved one deserves to have his or her thoughts heard. However, communication may be strained by health concerns such as memory loss. Always make eye contact with your loved one, and repeat statements back to him or her to check for clarity.
6. Use Technology to Track Changes in Health
Seeing your loved one every day is great for your relationship, but it also makes it difficult to notice when things are wrong. For instance, you might miss the subtle physical changes that accompany sudden weight loss when you see your loved one regularly. Use a smartphone app to track your loved one’s symptoms. As you review what you record over time, you can look for patterns that warrant a health checkup.
7. Practice Self-Care
You’ll probably hear other caregivers tell you to take care of yourself, but this cannot be said often enough. Your loved one needs you to be healthy, and you cannot be at your best if you’re exhausted, out of shape, or injured. Set up a self-care regimen that includes a diet and exercise plan as well as time for relaxation. Then make it a mandatory part of your day. If necessary, hire an in-home caregiver to help your loved one while you practise self-care essentials, such as going for a physical exam.
Finding the right in-home caregiver for your loved one is crucial. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior 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. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337.