Top 6 Sources of Stress for Family Caregivers

Stress is a fact of life for family caregivers who do their best to handle all of their responsibilities each day. While some stress is unavoidable, you can control certain types of situations that tend to cause the most strife for caregivers. Watch out for these six causes of stress family caregivers experience so you can avoid having them cause you to burn out. 

 

1. Managing Conflicting Schedules

You should have at least three other people in your social network you can rely on for help. However, you may still have problems when your schedule conflicts with those of other people who care for your senior loved one. For instance, both you and your sibling may want to attend holiday events on the same night. Make sure to develop a relationship with a professional home care agency that can help you arrange for someone to step in during times you can’t fix a schedule conflict.

Though you may be researching multiple agencies that provide senior home care, Assisting Hands Home Care has much to offer your family and your elderly loved one. We are leaders in the senior home care industry, offering hourly and around-the-clock assistance from reliable, experienced caregivers. Trust Assisting Hands Home Care to help your loved one enjoy a happier and healthier life in the golden years.

 

2. Addressing Challenging Behaviors

Caring for a loved one with dementia may be enjoyable most of the time, but you never know when symptoms may appear. Trying to stay calm when your loved one is agitated takes a lot of patience and energy. In fact, you may still find yourself on edge long after your loved one calms down. Professional caregivers can show you ways to manage negative behaviors, and you can also utilize their services when you need to step away.

The type of home care Miami Beach seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.

 

3. Having to Do Unpleasant Tasks

Spend a moment thinking about your day, and pick which task you dread the most. For instance, you may worry about embarrassing your loved one during his or her personal hygiene routine. Alternatively, you may really dislike housekeeping chores such as cleaning the bathroom. Although these tasks may be brief, the dread you feel each day eventually adds up. Try to delegate chores such as these to someone else so you can focus on doing better things with your time. 

 

4. Worrying about What the Future Holds

The future is always uncertain, but it may sometimes feel like things are hanging by a thin thread when your loved one is sick. You may be concerned about upcoming test results, or you may worry about whether you can stay healthy enough to keep providing care. Either way, practice the art of letting your worries go. Try mindful meditation, write in a journal, and go for long walks. Do whatever it takes to keep your mind focused on the present. 

 

5. Disagreeing with Family Members

Your family should give you their full support. However, family squabbles are common when things are already stressful. As the primary caregiver, you should make most of the decisions that affect your loved one’s day. However, you may need to bring in a third party to help you handle disagreements with your siblings and other family members when you can’t find a resolution. 

 

6. Feeling Guilty for Taking a Break

You know you need time off, but you feel bad about taking a break. When time off is stressful, ask yourself if you’re just worried about your loved one. If so, you can hire a respite caregiver. You’ll feel better knowing someone is with your loved one, and you won’t feel guilty when you hear how much fun he or she had talking to someone new.

If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need Miami respite care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. Our home caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today.