Being a family caregiver for a senior parent can be difficult, especially if your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other serious medical conditions that affect their cognition or their mobility. It’s very common for family caregivers to develop depression and to struggle with the symptoms of depression. Only children who don’t have the benefit to share the responsibilities of caregiving, or caregivers who are geographically the only sibling in the family able to care for a senior parent can feel overwhelmed, isolated, and alone. But you’re not alone. And it’s ok to ask for help. Personal care at home services could provide assistance
If you have noticed that you have symptoms of depression or if you find that you’re struggling these things may be able to help:
How Personal Care At Home can Help
One of the first things to do is to get some help. A personal care at home provider can provide high quality care for your senior loved one so that you can take a break. A personal care at home provider can help your senior parents with laundry, cooking, cleaning, personal care, and other tasks. They can also be there to play games, do activities, go for walks, and provide companionship for your senior parent. When you’re feeling overwhelmed step back and let a personal care at home provider give you some breathing space to take care of yourself.
Find A Support Group
Caregivers support groups can be a lifeline for stressed out caregivers. It will be a relief to be able to tell your story and talk to other caregivers who understand what you’re going through. If you’re struggling that doesn’t mean you don’t love your senior parents it just means that you are being pushed to your limit and you need to regroup. A support group will give you the space to vent, to cry, to process your feelings, and to keep going.
Do Things That You Love
When you’re a caregiver it’s easy to let all of your own interests and hobbies slide because of your responsibilities taking care of your senior loved ones. And if you have work, kids, and other responsibilities often hobbies or interests go to the absolute bottom of the priority list. But you need those hobbies and activities. Taking an art class, spending an evening sewing, joining a book club, or taking a swim class are all things that help you keep you going. They revive your spirit so that you can continue meeting all of your responsibilities. Don’t stick them on the bottom of the priority list. Bump them up to the top.
Take Small Steps
Sometimes it’s all caregivers can do to get through a day. When you hit the wall and feel like you can’t get out of bed or you just can’t continue taking care of everyone don’t think about all of the things that you should be doing. Just take one small step. If you can’t pick up the house just clean up one room. If you can’t face another sink of dirty dishes just wash one plate. If you feel like you absolutely can’t get dressed just put on clean pajamas. Taking any action is better than no action.
Source: https://www.caregiver.org/resource/depression-and-caregiving/
