Having emotional support systems can help caregivers take on their roles with less stress. Your network doesn’t have to be big, but it needs to be effective. When there are trustworthy, positive, and supportive people to turn to, you’ll feel more energetic and less alone. Below you’ll find types of emotional support caregivers can take advantage of and their benefits.
1. Take Up Hobbies
Spending time away from your aging loved one is crucial because it can lower anxiety and prevent negative emotions like resentment and anger. When looking for emotional outlets, you should take up hobbies. Trying new adventures or participating in regular hobbies could help you engage with like-minded individuals who enhance your mood. Whether you take up sports, join an exercise group, go dancing, or enroll in a painting class, hobbies can help you find the emotional support you crave.
2. Be Respectful of Others
When sharing caregiver tasks with your siblings and other family members, remain courteous and open to suggestions. Respecting the feelings of others could strengthen emotional relationships. When you’re respectful and positive, your brothers and sisters will be more likely to include you in phone calls, text message groups, and emails. However, having a negative attitude and continuously pointing out others’ faults could increase your odds of loneliness and isolation.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Philadelphia Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
3. Speak Up
Caregiving is a challenging role, and most family caregivers rarely receive the gratitude and praise they deserve. If you fail to speak up and share your feelings, your hard work and sacrifices could go unnoticed. Your siblings may not know you need appreciation and emotional support until you speak up. Instead, they may envision you as a strong person who can take on any challenge without needing an occasional thank-you or a pat on the back.
For many families, caring for a senior loved one can sometimes be overwhelming. Fortunately, compassionate help is available. Senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
4. Join a Caregiver Group
Regular meetings with individuals going through similar situations could be the best way to get the emotional support you need. Ask your loved one’s medical providers about local caregiver groups you should look into joining. The purpose of these groups is to provide an open space where caregivers can meet and speak freely and honestly without being judged. In addition to emotional support, caregivers can receive tips that make their role less challenging. For more convenience, some groups meet online or via video conferencing.
5. Accept Social Invitations
When family and friends invite you to functions, it would be beneficial to attend. Going to these gatherings allows you to interact with someone other than your parent, enabling you to connect with people on an emotional level.
Socialization is one of the best ways for caregivers to reduce stress and avoid depression. While socializing, try not to think about caregiving. Instead, focus on the activities taking place at the event and have as much fun as possible.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Philadelphia families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at (215) 645-4663 today.