Caring for a senior with dementia presents many challenges. Oftentimes, caregivers experience frustration when spending time with senior loved ones who repeat questions or display uncharacteristic behaviors. Before frustration provokes negative feelings about your aging loved one, try these strategies and techniques that can enable you to better handle stressful situations.
Calm Yourself
The unpredictability that sometimes goes along with caregiving can create a sense of not being in control, which may contribute to heightened anxiety. Be mindful of these feelings, and find relaxation techniques that work best for you when you need to relax and refresh.
When you start feeling frustrated to the point of becoming angry or overwhelmed, take some deep breaths, excuse yourself, go into another room, and count to 10. Perhaps take a brief walk outdoors. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts and reevaluate the situation. Learn to alter your thought processes so you can provide more effective care for your loved one. Meditation and yoga are especially effective at calming frazzled nerves.
Take a Class
If you feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to handle certain behaviors your loved one exhibits, consider taking a class. Community centers, long-term care facilities, and colleges often offer basic courses in caring for older adults.
Family caregivers can manage some of the emotional challenges of caregiving by hiring professional in-home care experts. The type of home care Pearland seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
Consider Support Groups
Many cities and towns host caregiver support groups where members come together and share information. There are also a variety of websites with articles and forums that provide detailed information about specific topics pertaining to dementia caregiving. Some sites also provide the chance to chat with other caregivers in real time, which enables family caregivers to express feelings and find ways to resolve problems from the convenience of home.
Take Time for Yourself
Constantly providing care for an aging family member with dementia can be emotionally draining. Family caregivers often also have jobs and manage households and families of their own. Assuming multiple roles throughout the day can become exhausting, which leads to frustration, depression, and fatigue.
Along with getting an adequate amount of sleep and maintaining a healthy diet, you must also find activities that enable you to reenergize. Set aside an afternoon or evening and go out with friends, take up a hobby, go for a walk, or join a fitness center. Consider hiring an in-home caregiver or reaching out to other family members for assistance. What this does is allow you to enjoy a healthy balance between caregiving and time for yourself.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elderly home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Ask for Help
Enlist the aid of other family members to take over caregiving duties for a day. Perhaps they might do the grocery shopping or manage your parent’s finances. Respite care is also available for family caregivers who need time for themselves but want to know their loved ones’ needs are met.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Pearland families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores. If you need professional home care for your aging loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care today.
