Monday, 13 June 2022

How to Deal with the Stress of Caring for an Elderly Parent

What Causes Stress as a Caregiver

Allowing yourself to be “on call” 24/7 is a huge reason for caregiver stress. Learn to delegate and let go in order to combat this particular stressor.

Financial difficulties stemming from the caregiver reducing work hours or quitting work altogether to care for their parents. If not reducing work hours, the cost of paying others to care for their parents. Work with a financial advisor to help you navigate these waters.

Isolation is another stressor. Often caregivers spend all their time caring for their ageing parents rather than socializing with friends and other members of the family. Take time to keep your other relationships strong.

How to Deal with Difficult Elderly Parents

Try to understand where they are coming from. If it’s an irrational thought or request due to Dementia or some other cognitive issue, don’t argue. Try to re-direct to something else.

Pick your battles. For instance, if you want them to take a shower and they don’t want to right now, let it go. Offer to just help with a sponge bath or just use the term get “cleaned up.” If they make a habit of not showering or washing, there are other strategies you may need to try.

What to do When Siblings Won’t Help with Elderly Parents

Sometimes siblings work great together and rely on each one’s strengths and try to divide work evenly. Then there’s the other half; one child does all of the work and becomes resentful that the other siblings won’t help.

Sometimes it’s a matter of proximity and the distant siblings truly aren’t aware of their ageing parents’ decline. Or there is one that just has always had a closer relationship with their parents.

Either way, remember that the other siblings aren’t mind readers. Be direct and specific with the type of help you need. Try to match the needs with the strengths of the other siblings.

The ones who are distant may feel helpless, but they can call and make doctor appointments just like someone closer and call to arrange transportation, etc. They can care for finances from a distance if that’s not an issue.

The ones who are close can do grocery shopping, taking to doctor appointments, take turns staying with them, etc. If you’re the caregiver and you don’t work outside the home, but your siblings do, they can still be in the rotation to stay with your parents while you get a much-needed breaks. YOU have to be direct in what the need is.

Most importantly, if you can’t work this out on your own, Golden Home Care is here to help and support you and your aging parent(s) with the right care and treatment.

More in this Category: