Tips for Managing Caregiving Stress Effectively

It's important to understand that if a caregiver is facing health problems, the quality of caregiving will automatically decline. Some of the ways that could help in dealing with caregiving stress

Many family caregivers find it difficult to talk about physical and emotional stress related to caregiving. They think it's insensitive to discuss their problems when their loved ones need them the most. As a result, they neglect their own physical & psychological problems that actually require as much attention as given to the needs of the care recipients. It's important to understand that if a caregiver is facing health problems, the quality of caregiving will automatically decline. Some of the ways that could help in dealing with caregiving stress are discussed below.

Understand that You Need Help Too

Till the time you don't accept the fact that your health is an important part of the caregiving process, it will be quite difficult to address the issue of stress that comes with caregiving. Acknowledging this fact sooner than later would help you to maintain the same level of caregiving for long periods of time.

Don't Shy Away from Asking for Help

As soon as you observe that your mind and body are finding it difficult to cope with continuous caregiving, start talking with your family members about sharing the responsibilities. Getting away from caregiving even for a short period of time can help immensely in rejuvenating mind and body. You could also ask your close friends or local volunteers to take care of your loved for a little while.

Make Use of Respite Care Services

If due to some reasons family members or friends are not available, you can easily find local in-home care providers that also provide respite care services. These services are generally used for 2-3 hours to get short breaks from caregiving, but you can use them for two-three days as well, if needed.

Various services usually included are bathing, grooming, maintaining hygiene, mobility assistance, transferring & positioning, toilet assistance, and incontinence care. However, help with other activities could also be provided including meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, running errands, transportation assistance, engaging recipients in mental activities, giving reminders to take medication, and assisting with reading. Comfort Keepers provides quality respite care services in Essex Fells, Roseland, and other parts of New Jersey that include help with the aforementioned activities.

Talk to a Friend

Sharing your problems with a family member or friend could prove out to be more useful than you think. Even if you don't get a solution for your problems, you'll surely feel better emotionally. Try to take your mind off caregiving and talk about other things in your life. Emotional support sometimes could help in thinking clearly about the problems at hand.

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