Are You a New Caregiver to a Senior Loved One? 3 Essential Things You Should Know

1. Expect the Unexpected

When you think you have mastered caregiving, you'll be thrown a curveball. For example, a medicine change that evokes bad symptoms from your patient or exacerbates existing ones. You hire a helper who doesn't show up. Your trusted aide quits and starts another job. A new variant arrives in the pandemic, and extra precautions need to be taken.

Our brains desire consistency and routine. So, when things are out of whack, it's understandable to not feel like yourself. Especially if you don't know how your loved one's situation is going to change. Will they be stuck in the hospital for a week? They might have been diagnosed with dementia or a terminal illness, and you don't know how many years or months they have left. The situation is constantly changing, and without any end goal, it can be quite distressing. A long-term caregiver will learn to roll with the punches. The best caregivers at Clinton Township senior living learn that not everything is in their control, and they can only do the best they can with what they've got.

2. Understand Family Conflicts

We always hope that our family will pull together through tough times. This can happen, but not every time. Old wounds can resurface during this difficult time and make things harder than they should be.

Family struggles and squabbles often come from a place of past hurt. For instance, a family member may have received abuse from another family member and decided to suffer in secret. Other family relations being unaware of this is a recipe for disaster in situations like this. As a caregiver, you should try and focus your attention on the person who needs the care. Certain hurts can never be completely healed, but maintaining neutrality, transparency, and courtesy to everyone involved is the first step to healing.

3. Look After Yourself!

Being the best possible caregiver doesn't mean sacrificing yourself in the process. Your own well-being is essential too. And besides, in the long run, you can't take care of someone else if you cannot take care of yourself too. A major obstacle that many caregivers have to overcome is burnout. It's a good idea to work with professionals like at our Clinton Township senior living. They will keep an eye on your emotional fortitude and financial situation.

To maintain a healthy state of being, don't skip meals, don't suffer sleep deprivation, and keep your body fit so that you can remain flexible and strong. You can also network with other caregivers either in person or online. They will likely have a lot of information to share with you about what you're dealing with. And even if you can't get specific advice for your situation, it's still good to have a sounding board where you can bounce your ideas off.

As a last resort, there is no shame in contacting respite care services. No one understands better than us how stressful caregiving can be.Visit our website for more information about Clinton Township senior living respite care.