When family caregivers do not feel supported, they often feel high levels of emotional distress. The AARP caregiving study found that almost half of all family caregivers who feel that they have no say in their situation felt stressed.
Family caregivers under the age of 64 were more likely to feel stress. This is often because those caregivers balance their parents’ care needs with their responsibilities at work and in their own homes. How do you ensure you’re getting the help you need when you’re in this situation?
Learn to Say No
When it’s natural for you to help others, it’s often hard to say no. Your parents need you, so you help them throughout the week. You also have friends and siblings asking you to help out, and you don’t feel right saying no, putting more tasks in your already overloaded schedule.
The more you take on, the more resentment you feel. Your brother goes on vacations regularly, but you can’t imagine being able to. Your parents need you, you’re busy helping others, and you also have a job taking up your time.
It would be best if you learned when to say no. Your job is vital as you need the income. Your career and personal life should be in the top two spots of things you do each day. On weekends when you’re not working, you need to focus on yourself before others.
Let Others Know You Need Help
As you start saying no, make sure your family realizes you need help. They can’t help you if you haven’t made it known you’re struggling. You don’t have time to help out, and you wish others would chip in. Tell them that you’re overwhelmed and need help.
If they can’t or won’t help you, it’s time to look at having home care assistance services to help your parents. While they have the help they need, you’re free to focus on your job and self-care.
Research Respite Care Services
Family caregivers need to take time for socialization, de-stressing, and daily exercise. If you’re helping your parents so much that there’s no time left for self-care, you need to make a change. Talk to home care assistance specialists about respite care.
Respite care is a service where caregivers come to the home, help your parents out, and free up time for you to go out, take a nap, or do something fun. Talk to a home care assistance specialist about respite care today.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Carrollwood, FL , please contact the caring staff at R.B. Home Health Services, Inc today. 305-220-6309
Sources:
https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/full-report-caregiving-in-the-united-states-01-21.pdf