The responsibility of caring for a senior loved one with dementia often falls upon the shoulders of an older adult’s daughter. Today, more than two-thirds of unpaid caregivers are women, and those who provide dementia care face unique challenges that place them at risk for caregiver burnout and depression. Although the days can be challenging when you provide dementia care for your parent, you can use these self-care tips to maintain your emotional health and overall wellbeing.
1. Celebrate Your Achievements
You spend every day enhancing the life of your loved one. While it may be easy to get caught up in thinking about what goes wrong, the truth is you’re doing your best. Avoid falling into depression by focusing on the things you accomplish each day. After all, you provide your loved one with compassionate care while enjoying the special moments. Keep in mind this is your first time taking on such a role, and you’re bound to make mistakes.
When things don’t go right, don’t let yourself feel worthless. Prioritize recognizing the many amazing things you do each day, and take action to find ways to correct any mistakes. Learning to accept your strengths and limitations may allow you to find greater satisfaction in your caregiving role.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can sometimes be overwhelming. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality at-home care, Assisting Hands Home Care Frederick can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
2. Rely on Your Friends
It may sometimes seem unfair to be the only one doing so much work. However, it’s common for caregivers to forget they’re surrounded by people who love them and want to help. Your family may be overwhelmed by the aspects of your loved one’s care, or they may simply live too far away to be of much help. For this reason, you should remember your friends can be a tremendous resource during difficult times. Whether you call one of them to vent about your day or just need a relaxing lunch date, let your friends know about what you’re going through.
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia and you need additional help, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Families looking for top-rated Frederick home care service providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
3. Evaluate Your Current Commitments
Your can-do attitude may be great for getting everything done, but you must also accept it’s impossible to be everywhere at once. Spend some time looking over your commitments, and think about your schedule before you take on new ones. In some cases, you may need to scale back your commitments and drop activities that no longer fit into your lifestyle.
Alternatively, you can delegate some aspects of your loved one’s care by arranging for a professional caregiver to help with daily activities such as personal hygiene. Keep in mind your needs will change over the years as your loved one’s dementia progresses, so be flexible enough to review your commitments periodically to make sure they don’t keep piling up.
Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Frederick families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (301) 786-5045 today.
