When an older parent or loved one lives at home with you, it can be a wonderful time for bonding and set your mind at ease knowing they are somewhere safe. If they rely on you for care and basic needs, over time, it can also put stress on you as the main caregiver. Sometimes it’s also disruptive to your family’s daily routine. At Interim HealthCare, we know that being the family caregiver can be stressful. It is physically and emotionally demanding. It frequently involves putting someone else’s needs before your own. This can lead to unhealthy situations for both you and your loved one. It is important to reduce caregiver stress so that everyone is happier and healthier in the long run. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Know that you’re not alone. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, an estimated 34 million adults serve as the primary caregivers for family members over the age of 50. About 24 percent of them live with the person receiving their care. Statistics from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Policy note that about 41% of the non-professionals caring for people over the age of 65 are adult children, while 23% are spouses. Nearly half of those providing non-professional care to friends or family members also have a full-time job.

Don’t forget to be patient. Patience is one of the most important parts of being a home caregiver. Your aging parent or spouse may have difficulties with memory or physical limitations that require constant monitoring. You may find yourself running out of patience and becoming frustrated at times. There may be daily battles over taking medication or the senior may be angry and willful at losing their independence. Families often come to us looking for ways to relieve the stress of being a home caregiver.

Consider attending a local caregiver’s support group. There are many local non-profit groups nationwide that offer support meetings and fun activities for those who provide home care to families, friends and neighbors. Another option is to see a therapist regularly to help you cope with the stress. It often helps to talk things over with someone who has an objective opinion. It also helps when there is someone looking out for you and your emotional and physical well-being.

Take some time out for yourself. If you are full-time caregiver, try to take at least one day off during the week. Be social. Don’t forget to take care of your own physical and emotional needs. Eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of sleep. When the person you look after needs constant care or supervision, have another friend or family member relieve you during part of the day or evening. Spend that time on yourself. Get a massage, go shopping or go out to the movies. Participate in physical activities, like an exercise class at the gym or a daily walk through the neighborhood.

If you need help, ask for it. Consider bringing in a professional. Interim HealthCare offers non-medical home care and home nursing services to assist the primary caregiver. We offer senior home care and hospice care. Interim HealthCare also offers a support program as a supplement to our other services called Caregiver’s Coaching. Developed by a top gerontological social worker, the program features practical advice, emotionally supportive and informational coaching emails, helpful podcasts and conversation starters for family caregivers. Contact our office for more information or to set up an evaluation visit.