Caring for the elderly can make for a very rewarding job; whether it is paid employment in a nursing or retirement home or for an elderly relative who can no longer look after his or herself. However, it can also be a mentally challenging role that finds you exhausted.
Whether this is your job or this is your loved one, it is absolutely necessary to do all you can to preserve your own mental health and that of your patient. There are many ways of achieving this, and below are listed just five of the most popular ones for you to try:
1. Take regular breaks – Taking a break from the elderly person or people that you are caring for can give you chance to relax away from the situation. This could be a five-minute break you are working or a day off doing something that you love. Taking a breather will benefit you by allowing you much needed time to unwind and refresh yourself. The renewed outlook you return with will have a positive effect on the care you provide to your loved ones or patients. It will allow you both to gather your thoughts without causing resentment on either side. It may just be the time away you need to readjust your focus and gather your thoughts, as well as reminding yourself why you are doing that particular job! Be cognizant of your feelings and how resentment or guilt may be ruling how you are feeling.
Allow yourself the much needed time to see things in a different light.
Maybe take a day off while you hire a professional to care for your loved one or in the case of employment – take your breaks and yes days off are necessary!
2. Take part in activities that you both enjoy – These are commonly referred to as bonding activities because they capitalize on the common interests you share and build a strong foundation for you to coexist on. If you are looking after a patient or client then this is essential in getting to know them properly. If you are looking after a family member then you are likely to give him or her joy just by spending that relaxing time there.
3. Come to an arrangement that suits you both – It is unlikely that the elderly person you are caring for wants you by their side the entire day in. Some may want you at their beck and call, but the majority like their own space just as you do and will only enjoy spending time with you up to a point. Promoting as much independence as possible is essential.
Independence is very important to the majority of elderly people, especially when they may feel that it is being taken away from them. Always respect their wishes by coming to some arrangement as to when you will drop by and what you will be doing together on a particular day. Of course, this doesn’t apply to those caring for the elderly in retirement homes.
4. Establish a routine – Establishing a routine will help you both understand exactly where you are with each other. Since we are generally all creatures of habit, as we age we like a routine.
From children to senior on many levels a routine helps them to anticipate your activities. Breaking from their routine may unsettle seniors and provoke negative feelings towards you and your role. Seniors may feel insecure when it comes to introducing something new which makes a routine reassuring.
Routine also promotes the feeling of being in control of ones environment at a time when one may be experiencing a loss in many areas of their life.
5. Seek professional help – It’s ok to seek professional help to assist you in your new role of caregiver.
Seeking out caregiver support groups in your area are a great way to learn from others in the same situation as well as promote feelings of comfort for you.
Like every new role in life we need adjustment time which includes time to learn how to adapt to the role.
Professional counselling can assist you to understand the feelings of isolation, depression, frustration or guilt sometimes associated with a caregiver role.
Seeking the assistance of a professional caregiver agency with well qualified trained staff can also offer you comfort in your role by offering you much needed time away from each other.
This can be from 2 hours to 24 hour coverage while you take your breaks, do your errands, get away for a few days or have the help to do some tasks around the house.
Whatever the need is, you are not alone and understanding that it’s ok to ask for help will promote a healthy happy caregiver which in turn equals a happy cared for patient…
Individual circumstances vary and so do the results.
You need to find out what works for you and how to adapt it into your role.
The first step is acknowledging this is a challenging time for you and seeking the right advice, the right professionals will make this the best time possible…
For more info please and assistance on any of the above please contact T&E HealthPros team of professionals for a free consultation.
905.665.0518
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