One thing you likely expected to encounter when you decide to become a family caregiver for your elderly parent was stress. Those who care for senior family members are far more likely to not only experience stress, but also to suffer potentially serious consequences as a result of this stress.
This stress can be even more trying, however, if you are caring for an elderly adult who is living with a severe medical condition such as cancer.
When you are facing the exceptional needs of this type of journey, you are more vulnerable to stress and the problems that can result. Putting attention and effort into easing and managing this stress is a critical step in protecting your own health and well-being while giving your parent everything that they need.
6 Ways to Ease Caregiver Stress While Caring for a Senior With Cancer
Use these tips to help you ease your caregiver stress while caring for a senior with cancer:
- Allow yourself to think about yourself and your own needs.
- Do not allow yourself to feel guilty for not spending every moment with your parent when you need a break.
- Plan time to spend by yourself and do not compromise that time. Plan time to spend time with the people you love, including your partner, your children, and your friends, and follow through with those plans just as you would any appointment on your calendar.
- Allow yourself time to not think about the challenges that you are facing in your care journey and to find joy, pleasure, and humor in other aspects of your life.
- Take care of yourself by ensuring that you get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, practice germ control, and get enough physical activity.
- Find little things that boost your spirits, such as always wearing makeup or using a particular type of air freshener, and utilize those to stimulate your senses, keep your mental and emotional health high, and support your well-being.
Contact Care Options for Kids for Home Care Services
Whether your aging parent is living with cancer or struggling with some other health problem or needs, if you do not feel that your caregiver efforts are giving them all that they need, now may be the ideal time for you to consider home care for them.
A care provider can fill these care gaps in the way that is right for them so that your parent can manage their personal needs, challenges, and limitations while pursuing a lifestyle that is active, engaged, fulfilling, and independent throughout their later years.
When it comes to helping a senior who is going through a journey with cancer, this care provider can be invaluable. Their companionship and emotional support can help your parent deal with the mental and emotional issues surrounding cancer and help them maintain a lifestyle that is meaningful and enjoyable during this chapter.
They can also provide personalized reminders to ensure that your parent remains compliant with their medications, treatments, and other guidelines from their doctor so that they can maintain the best health possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services, contact the caring staff at Care Options for Kids. Call today at (888) 592-5855.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1500929/
