Dementia Patient Care: Taking Care of Yourself as a Caregiver

Caregiver burnout is real. As an adult, you care for your children and spouse. That can be exhausting enough. Life gets complicated fast if you are also in charge of an elderly family member. You are fixing dinner and taking your daughter to soccer practice one minute. The next minute, you are taking Mom to the doctor.
Sometimes, the cycle never seems to end. Until the day you receive word that Dad has dementia. You may have noticed small things and wondered about his memory. Having your suspicions made official can feel like a huge stone has been placed on your shoulders. The whole world seems to move in slow-motion. How will you handle the added stress without burning out? There are a few things you can do, including hiring the services of a personal support worker or senior caregiver for respite care.

3 Tips to Combat Caregiver Stress and Avoid Burnout

You don’t have to head off the cliff to burnout as a caregiver. It is possible to be the best for your family and parent with dementia when you utilize these tips:

1. Get Emotional Support: The days will vary for you. Sometimes, all you need is a sympathetic ear. Other days, you may want to vent your frustration. In all cases, you must have emotional support. You may choose support groups to talk with other caregivers who understand what you are going through. You can get practical advice and share your experience to help others in the same situation. Another way to combat emotional stress is through humour. Take time out for your favourite comedy shows occasionally and enjoy a good laugh.
2. Schedule Respite Care: You need to take a break to recharge. Respite care may mean you might have lunch with a friend on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. Maybe you take a day to go shopping with your grandchildren, or you and your spouse can have a romantic weekend. The goal is for you to have some regularly scheduled time to release stress and enjoy your life.
3. Seek Out Practical Help: If you have a job in addition to your regular duties, you may not be able to keep up with housework for your senior. A personal support worker can step in and aid your mom with light housekeeping, fixing nutritious meals, and regular companionship. Delegating may be the best tool in your toolbox. It gives you the ability to care for your immediate family while knowing your aging parent is also cared for. Your visits will be more enjoyable as well.

Avoid Caregiver Burnout with In-Home Senior Care

You don’t have to care for your aging parent alone. The team at Home Instead Etobicoke / North York has the experience to help you. We offer many different homecare services to ensure you and your family are supported. We provide light housekeeping, meal prep and cooking, companionship, and respite care, among many others. We customize services based on your situation and need. Don’t let burnout prevent you from being the best for your family. Contact us today!

Call us at (416) 239-2200 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver, every day, to families in All Etobicoke including: Kingsway, Mimico, Long Branch, Islington, Richview, The Community of Humber Heights, Rexdale, Markland Woods North York West including: Willowdale, Rexdale, Downsview, Humberwood, Weston, York University Heights, Humber Summit and areas in between..