If you are the primary caregiver for an elderly relative, it can feel as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders at times. In order to avoid this feeling, it is important to realize that you cannot and are not expected to do it all. Even if you want to do it all, chances are it is nearly impossible. Rather than putting yourself under tremendous stress and risking serious burnout, there are a variety of ways that you can help yourself, which in turn, helps your elderly relative.
- Ask for Help – Even if you are the primary caregiver, you will need help too. Make a list of all of the important tasks that your relative needs help with and try to divvy them up between you and other relatives. If there are no other nearby relatives, hire the services of anIf you are the primary caregiver for an elderly relative, it can feel as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders at times. In order to avoid this feeling, it is important to realize that you cannot and are not expected to do it all. Even if you want to do it all, chances are it is nearly impossible. Rather than putting yourself under tremendous stress and risking serious burnout, there are a variety of ways that you can help yourself, which in turn, helps your elderly relative.
- Ask for Help – Even if you are the primary caregiver, you will need help too. Make a list of all of the important tasks that your relative needs help with and try to divvy them up between you and other relatives. If there are no other nearby relatives, hire the services of an in-home care professional to assist with the tasks that you are comfortable delegating out to others.
- Go Over your Lists – Chances are your relative’s needs will change from time to time. Go over your list of their needs often. When you do, make sure you cover its contents with your relative, allowing him or her to have a say in what they get help with and who helps with them. If there are items on the list that they are not comfortable having help from anyone but yourself, then it is best to find ways to work it into your schedule.
- Talk with Family – Even if you have family members that live far away, chances are there are still ways that they can help. Sending emails, making phone calls and checking financial accounts online are just a few of the ways that distant relatives can help. Talk with your family often to ensure that everyone, near and far is helping out as much as possible, taking the burden off of your shoulders.
professional to assist with the tasks that you are comfortable delegating out to others.
- Go Over your Lists – Chances are your relative’s needs will change from time to time. Go over your list of their needs often. When you do, make sure you cover its contents with your relative, allowing him or her to have a say in what they get help with and who helps with them. If there are items on the list that they are not comfortable having help from anyone but yourself, then it is best to find ways to work it into your schedule.
- Talk with Family – Even if you have family members that live far away, chances are there are still ways that they can help. Sending emails, making phone calls and checking financial accounts online are just a few of the ways that distant relatives can help. Talk with your family often to ensure that everyone, near and far is helping out as much as possible, taking the burden off of your shoulders.
