How to Care For Yourself When Caring For An Elderly Parent

Make time for yourself when you're a caregiver.

Providing continuous care for an elderly parent can be stressful and exhausting. While aging parents depend on you to care for them, find ways to take care of yourself to remain a patient and caring provider of care. Caregiving to elderly parents is especially difficult, as the reversal of roles may be uncomfortable and fraught with emotion. Take care of yourself as well as your parents to avoid burning out or becoming overloaded.

Instructions

1. Make a special time on a regular basis for yourself either after the parent has gone to bed or is taking a nap. Read a book, watch a movie or take a bubble bath by candlelight. Make it a time that you won't be interrupted and can relax or nap.

2. Find a respite provider to give you a longer break, over a weekend, for example, or one afternoon a week. Ideally, other family members are available to share the challenge of elderly care. If not, check with professional agencies about hiring a caregiver. Make this a regular appointment even if it's only once a month to give yourself something to look forward to.

3. Find a support group to confide in and discuss problems as well as how you're feeling. Support groups exist online if leaving your parent is too difficult. Seek out a friend, a mentor or a pastor if support groups are scarce or uncomfortable for you, but make it a regular meeting. Talking about your problems can make them seem more manageable. Support also keeps you from feeling alone in your situation.

4. Remain physically fit and eat a healthy diet. Go for a walk or use a treadmill if it's difficult to leave the house. Maintaining your own health is a vital part of staying at home with an aging parent.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your local senior center or services organization for volunteers who provide short term respite care for free.

References

• Washington State Department of Social and Human Services: The Importance of Self Care