How to Deal With the Stress of Being a Family Caregiver

1. How to Deal With the Stress of Being a Family Caregiver Throughout Canada, millions of individuals like you are performing as a caregiver for their loved ones. There are adult children who are helping their elderly parents to deal with the difficulties of everyday tasks while others are supporting their aging spouse who is dealing with a debilitating prolonged illness. For some, the caregiving is associated with an elder family member or a friend living with an end of life diagnosis. Regardless of the circumstances, family caregivers are the part of an invisible health care system, which has become extremely important for the society of Canada. The health care system of Canada has changed and is moving towards smaller intervals of hospital stays and larger integration into the community. While family caregivers are being relied on largely, still not much has been put in place to offer them the assistance, acknowledgment, and respite they deserve. A popular caregiver quality is having to put the needs of others ahead of your own. Quite often the caregivers are required to take on tasks without any warning, with absolutely no experience, and without any training. It is most natural that they may feel unprepared and unaware of what to anticipate and where to look for help. While performing the role of a caregiver, they may experience a range of emotions including love and respect for their duty, the guilt of not being able to cope with the tough demands of being a caregiver and resentment due to the stress associated with the tough job. The requirements of Home Health Care Services differ largely from one situation to other and from person to person. In some situations, caregiving requires a weekly visit to assist with shopping or taking an elder family member to doctor’s appointment. On the other hand, some are required to provide 24 x 7 care, managing medications, changing incontinence briefs, taking care of wounds, bathing, dressing and conferring with healthcare specialist and doctors.

2. Fulfilling the demands of busy life and providing care for your elderly loved one can become stressful at times. In case you feel strained and overwhelmed by providing everyday care for your elder family member, here are a few tips, which may help you to minimize your stress levels: Treat Yourself with Self-care It is extremely important for you to maintain your own physical and emotional health. To do so, you must eat a balanced diet, take proper rest, exercise regularly and take out time for recreational activities in order to maintain your mental health. Taking out time to spend with friends, expressing how you feel and keeping your focus towards the positive aspects of life can also help you go through these challenging times. Get Some Additional Help While your friends and relatives may not share your entire burden but most of the times they are happy to help with additional tasks such as your neighbours can help you with grocery shopping and cooking. Home Health Care Services can be the solution to all your problems. But if you have children you can involve them by assigning them chores according to their age. You may join a support group with other caregivers to learn from their experiences. Always remembers to say yes if someone offers you help. Article Source: http://www.mglhealth.com/how-to-deal-with-the-stress-of-being-a-family- caregiver/