Deciding to take an elderly frail parent into your home is a major step, on all levels, but it’s also a rewarding one, despite the myriad of challenges that will come with this decision.
There’s no doubt that your parent would like to retain as much independence as possible, however, when illness and frailty are the major issues you’re both going to be facing, the emotional toll may be greater than might be expected.
Compassion and patience will be qualities that are essential to maintain a healthy relationship with your parent as they become more and more physically dependent on you, if you are the main caregiver, but by stepping back regularly to put yourself in their shoes things might be a little easier.
The fact that your parent may now need assistance with some of the most basic things such as bathing or using the bathroom is going to have a profound effect on him or her, which can only be made less stressful if you’re able to put a few good coping mechanisms in place.
Here are a few tips that may help make things a little less difficult as you care for your parent:
· If you let your parent know that caring for them is something you do out of love and respect for him or her, it’ll go a long way to keeping depression and anxiety at bay, letting them know that they are important in your life and that of your family.
· This is the beginning of a new journey for you and for your parent, so for the sake of both of you don’t be unrealistic about emotional expectations. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, for either of you, and some days are definitely going to be tougher than others, as your parent comes to terms with the fact that he really does need help.
· This is a completely new chapter of life for both of you, learning to live in an entirely different way, and if you accept that every relationship goes through its own birth pangs, it’ll be easier for both of you to adjust as things change. One of the best things you can do is to make sure you have good support from friends and family, so that when you need to share your own frustrations and fears there’ll be a shoulder to lean on. You’ll need it!
· Take time out. Contact CareChamp and let them offer a helping hand in the form of a caregiver that’ll stand in for you while you take a break to recharge your batteries. You have to make sure to take care of yourself so that you’ll have the strength to continue as caregiver to your parent. Caregivers also run the risk of depression, so make sure you have time that will be entirely yours.
· Frustration and anger is going to enter into the relationship along the way, but try to focus on the good days and moments that come from caring for someone you love. Remember you’re not a saint, so don’t weigh yourself down with guilt. The loss of independence is utterly frustrating and sad for your parent, which will make it difficult for you to be at your sunshiny best all the time.
· Involve your parents in some of your decision making processes, it goes a long way to making your parent feel that they are still of value to you and that you respect their opinions.
· The greatest recipe for disaster in the relationship between you and your parent will be if you forget they’ve lived a full life and begin ordering them around as if they’re children. You’ll get a lot further by involving them in decisions that impact their daily life and circumstances, which do a lot to ease their own distress at feeling helpless.
No matter how many tips you get for coping with caring for an elderly frail parent at home, there’s bound to come a time when you’ll need a little extra help.
Hiring a professional, experienced caregiver from CareChamp will give you all the time you need to keep your own life going while caring for your parent, whether part time, full time or for a few hours a day.
Contact CareChamp today to find out more about full time and part time caregivers ready to lend a helping hand that’ll give you the time to do all that you need to in terms of running a home or maintaining a profession.