In addition to the physical aspects of caring for aging or ill loved ones, family caregivers are often tasked with the mental burden of providing care as well. At some point, you may face difficult decisions regarding your loved one’s living situation, health needs, and even end-of-life care. While these types of decisions aren’t easy, you can get through the process of choosing the best options by using these strategies.
Try to Encourage Your Loved One’s Involvement
Families are encouraged to talk about a senior’s care preferences while he or she is still able to provide coherent input. However, it’s common for families to encounter things they’ve never discussed. This is especially true with living and health care decisions, since technology is changing the options families have available to create personalized care plans. If possible, you might still be able to get your loved one’s input by choosing the right time to ask questions or using visual aids that allow him or her to point at an image or word. If you can’t get any involvement at all, try to put yourself in your loved one’s shoes and consider what he or she would like.
Acknowledge You’re Doing the Best You Can
Feeling like the world is resting on your shoulders could cause you to freeze up when you’re trying to make a decision. Being a family caregiver can be difficult, but you’re also capable of handling difficult things. Simply accepting there’s no perfect solution can help you feel less burdened as you move forward with a decision.
Take Steps to Relieve the Stress You’re Under
Stress can also cause your body to go into protective mode. When you’re stressed out, blood flow is directed away from your brain to other parts of your body as a method to help you prepare to flee. This isn’t the type of situation you can run away from. Instead, you need to find ways to get the blood flowing back to your brain and reduce your stress hormones back to normal levels. Try meditating or engaging in a favorite hobby to clear your mind. You’ll find it easier to think about your options when you’re relaxed.
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of support and encouragement for both you and your loved one. 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.
Seek Advice from a Neutral Party
Making a big decision is often overwhelming when you already feel like you’re in over your head. Perhaps you have no idea what the doctor is saying when he or she uses medical jargon. Or you might not be sure if you can help your loved one age at home by yourself anymore. Reaching out to others who are familiar with senior care can give you insight that guides your decision.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
Come to an Agreement with Other Involved People
Your decision may not just affect you and your loved one. You might also worry about the impact it will have on other family members, friends, and professional caregivers. While you don’t want to gather a crowd that creates more confusion, it can be helpful to reach out to a couple of other people who really care. This takes some of the pressure off you, and you’ll know everyone will be supportive of your final decision.
The type of in-home care Edmonton, AB, seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. Call one of our Care Managers at (780) 490-7337 to learn about our customized in-home care plans.