Caregiving is something that demands a lot out of the people who undertake it. Caring for seniors isn’t the same every single day and as health needs change, caregiving also changes. Family caregivers need to pay attention to not only what their seniors need, but also what they need. Support is also essential, and home care services can do so much to help.

Seek Emotional and Hands-on Support

Part of being a better family caregiver means getting support themselves. There’s a lot about caregiving that is extremely difficult to manage. It’s emotionally difficult to watch beloved family members experience big life changes due to health and age. It’s also difficult to stay on top of daily tasks that need to be done. Elder care can offer hands-on support that makes it easier for family caregivers to get the emotional support they need.

Pursue Education about Health Issues

Education is crucial for family caregivers. This is even more important when seniors have health issues that are complicated, progressive, or both. Having as much information as possible ensures that it’s easier to make informed decisions about more effective care plans. Education allows family caregivers to address issues before they become a much bigger problem.

Prioritize Self-care Regularly

Part of being a stronger family caregiver involves making self-care a priority. This goes along with that old analogy about airplane passengers needing to put their own oxygen masks on before helping other people. If family caregivers aren’t taking good care of themselves, it’s going to be exponentially more difficult to take care of anyone else in any significant way. Regular self-care involves exercising, eating properly, and resting when possible.

Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

Often family caregivers don’t have realistic expectations about what is likely to happen. Education helps with this, but it also helps to understand the limitations of a family caregiver. When family caregivers are being more realistic about their goals and expectations, they’re also better able to take advantage of solutions like home care providers.

Delegate Whenever Possible

Another big problem that family caregivers run into is doing too much themselves. This can fall under having expectations that are unrealistic as well, so it’s important for family caregivers to learn to delegate. Allowing home care assistance to take over more tasks frees up both time and energy that is better spent elsewhere.

Establish Routines That Support Needs

Seniors tend to do really well with solid routines. Consistent routines offer stability for seniors and they also help seniors to move seamlessly through their days and their weeks. It’s a lot more difficult to forget about important tasks and activities when they’re built into a routine. Seniors are better able to protect their overall well-being when they have routines that they can lean into.

Becoming a stronger family caregiver is easier to do with time, but the right help also makes that an easier goal. Home care providers complement the caregiving journey and allow family caregivers to expand the care they’re able to provide.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Olney, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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