Is your loved one awaiting care in an assisted living facility in Port Coquitlam area? We understand the stress that comes with taking full-time care of your loved one without help. Caregiver stress is common among those who care for their loved-ones full-time, especially in cases where their loved-ones have dementia or other long-term conditions. This is understandable due the fact that caregivers take care of not only the physical day-to-day tasks such as housework and errands, but also emotional support. If you are a caregiver and you ever feel overwhelmed, frustrated, guilt, fear, or isolation, know that this is completely normal and you are not alone with these emotions.
Taking care of yourself while your loved one is awaiting care in an assisted living facility is especially important to manage stress and avoid burnout. As it is unavoidable to sometimes feel stressed, angry, or sad, it is important to develop coping strategies to help you throughout these times. Here are four strategies to help you manage your stress:
Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones
Caregivers often forget to prioritize their own lives and loved ones outside of who they are caring for. Setting aside time in your schedule to do activities with your spouse, children, family members, or friends can be a great way to get a break and share time and experiences with someone new. Spending time with those you care about is one of the most effective stress relief strategies for caregivers as it also provides you the opportunity to confide and chat with someone who understands and loves you.
Journal Your Feelings
If you find yourself bottling a lot of your emotions when caregiving, consider getting them out on paper. Writing down your feelings each day or even just on days that are a little more difficult for you is a healthy way to express your emotions and be honest with the way that you are feeling. This can also help you establish a pattern in your emotions. Perhaps you feel a certain way when performing certain tasks, or at certain times of the day. By keeping track of these feelings, you can better prepare yourself for particular situations and tasks in the future.
Make Time for Yourself
Since taking full-time care of your loved one requires several tasks every day, caregivers often go through the entire day without taking a single break. Making time for yourself is essential to avoid feelings of burnout and frustration. Taking breaks can even mean taking five minutes to yourself every now and then to recharge. In addition to short breaks during the day, finding a way to take breaks throughout the year is also a healthy idea. Consider finding another family member or care-taking service aside from an assisted living facility to watch over your loved-one for a few days while you take some time off for yourself.
Find an Outlet for Relaxation
Everyone has a different way of relaxing, and relaxing is a critical strategy for caregivers to recharge. Some different ways to relax can be going for a walk, listening to music, meditating, reading, going to the gym, spending the day at the spa, and so much more. Allocate time in your schedule every day to incorporate some relaxation, as this will help you come back to your loved-one in a better mood.
If you’re looking for an assisted living facility in Port Coquitlam, Shaughnessy Seniors Community offers personalized and high-quality nursing care to support your parent or loved one. Located in Port Coquitlam, our boutique-style residence is warm, inviting, and can provide the resources required to keep your loved one comfortable and happy despite age-related health problems. If you’d like to learn more about our facilities and care plans, you can always visit our website or reach out to a member of our team and we’d be happy to help.