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Caring for a senior loved one on a regular basis could take a toll on your physical and mental health. You might begin to experience symptoms of caregiving-related stress, such as getting frequent headaches or feeling overwhelmed. Here are a few ways to manage caregiving-related stress so you can enhance your quality of life.
1.Take Care of Your Health
Providing care for your loved one shouldn’t come at the expense of your own health and wellbeing. When you take good care of yourself, you may feel calmer and more relaxed. Set health goals, such as getting a certain amount of exercise each day and eating nutritious foods.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one in Portland and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Portland 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.
2.Practice Stress Management Techniques
There are several stress management techniques you can try, such as doing yoga, meditating, writing in a journal, and doing deep breathing exercises. These techniques can help you prepare for the day or unwind at the end of the day so you can get a good night’s sleep. You can also practice one or more stress management techniques in the middle of the day when you need a break from caregiving.
3.Find a Support Group
Support groups for caregivers can provide you with social and emotional support from others who understand what you’re going through. Caregiver support groups give you a chance to talk about the stress you’re experiencing and hear others discuss the challenges they face. Other caregivers can also give you advice and guidance that can help you handle specific issues or manage stress in general.
4.Set Smaller Goals
Having a lot of caregiving tasks to accomplish may leave you feeling more stressed than usual. Breaking these tasks into smaller goals for the day may make it easier for you to get through your list without feeling overwhelmed. Taking time to prioritize the items on your list can help you stay focused throughout the day. Instead of spending time figuring out which task to do next, you’ll be able to move down your list of tasks smoothly.
Family caregivers can manage some of the emotional challenges of caregiving by hiring professional in-home caregivers. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Portland 24-hour home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
5.Set Aside Time for Yourself
Setting aside some time for yourself each day can relieve stress. Reserve a reasonable amount of time every day to do something you enjoy, such as reading a book or taking a relaxing bath. Taking breaks to focus on your own wellbeing can provide you with renewed energy for caregiving tasks the following day.
6.Seek Help
If caregiving duties have you feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to help. Professional caregivers can handle caregiving tasks so you can take a break. Depending on your needs, you can hire a caregiver to take care of your loved one a few days a week or stop by for a couple of hours each day to help out.
The type of homecare 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. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call today.
