5 Self Care Tips While Caring For an Aging Parent
Caring for an aging parent can be both physically and emotionally demanding, often pushing your own needs to the background. However, maintaining your well-being is essential not just for your health but also for the quality of care you provide to your loved one. If you neglect your own self-care, it can lead to burnout and negatively impact both you and your parent(s).
Prioritizing self-care helps prevent exhaustion and irritability, and supports your overall health. By focusing on your own needs, you’ll be better equipped to manage the challenges of caregiving and offer a higher level of care. Balancing self-care with caregiving responsibilities can be challenging, but these tips will guide you in making it a reality.
1. Set Boundaries and Manage Expectations
Avoid promising more than you can provide. At the same time, set boundaries for yourself and what you will and will not do for your parents. Ask yourself:
- How much time can you devote to their home and personal needs each week?
- What time will be your personal time, meaning when will you be completely unreachable or “off duty”?
- Who can commit to a specific time to step in and help support your family members?
Maintain open and honest communication with your parents. Clearly explain your commitment to them while acknowledging your own needs and limitations. By setting clear boundaries and being upfront, you can prevent misunderstandings and ensure a balanced approach to caregiving that supports both your well-being and theirs.
2. Create a Support System When Caring for an Aging Parent
In many situations, you’ll need help from others. Talk to family members and friends, or seek out community resources.
Professional care and respite care are options for many families. One option is at-home care, which allows you to choose the frequency and care your parents receive based on their needs and the support you need.
Another option is respite care, or as we call it, ElderDay. Your loved one gets an opportunity to socialize with people, engage in activities, and engage in physical activity while you get a break. Not only does this support your needs, but it also provides incredible social opportunities for maintaining mental health and clarity as well as quality of life as a person gets older.
3. Incorporate Self Care into Your Daily Routine
Self-care shouldn’t be an afterthought or something you do only when you have time. Make it a regular part of your day with small, manageable steps. Set aside time for activities that help you relax and recharge, like taking a walk, reading a book, enjoying a hot bath, or grabbing coffee with a friend.
Also, consider your well-being from a health perspective. Practice mindfulness, taking ownership and control over what you worry about and its impact on your well-being. Be sure to get in for routine health check-ups, eat healthy, balanced meals, and sleep at night.
It’s easy to push aside these essential tasks you need to thrive while caring for your aging parents.
4. Emotional and Mental Health Support
Prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being is essential while caring for your aging parents. As roles evolve, your commitment to their care may grow, but it’s important to recognize the need to care for yourself, too. Finding balance will help you stay strong for both yourself and your loved ones.
Set up time to speak to a mental health counselor to discuss stress, anxiety, or feelings of guilt you have. You can also find local caregiver groups or those online to gain emotional support from people who understand what you are facing.
5. Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability
Be as flexible as possible and adjust expectations as life changes. Your parent’s health will change, and it may become too much for you. Recognize that you need to find balance.
Sometimes, realizing that you need professional help to preserve your loved one’s, your family’s, and your own health is necessary. Be willing to accept that change as a part of life.
Seeking Out Help is Always Okay
Most importantly, know that this is not a process you have to face on your own. Instead, recognize the impact caring for an aging parent can have and, when the time is right, seek the best services to offer help to you.
Discover how Menno Haven can offer guidance and support tailored to your needs with our at-home care.