Caregiving is one of the most challenging responsibilities. While you started your role with the best intentions of sticking it out, you may feel like giving up at some point. When you’re considering giving up your job as a caregiver, consider taking the following steps to determine the next course of action.
Get Some Clarity
When you’re under a tremendous amount of stress, it may be difficult to think clearly. For example, you may think you’re only frustrated with caregiving when other things such as your home life are also causing you stress.
If possible, arrange for someone to care for your loved one while you take a day or two off. Taking time off allows you to relax and reassess your life. If a full day is impossible to take off, take a break for an hour or two so you can retreat to your personal space and give the situation some further thought.
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Columbus, OH, Assisting Hands Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Prepare a List of Challenges
As you reflect upon your current situation, create a list of the challenges you face. Remember to be honest, since no one else has to see this list unless you want to share it. A few common caregiving-related challenges include not having enough time to complete all of your daily tasks or having personality conflicts with your loved one. Creating a list of challenges may help you find the best solution.
Ask for Your Loved One’s Input
Your loved one may be unhappy with the current situation. Seniors typically prefer not to be a burden on their family members, and your loved one may be sensitive to your moods. Some seniors are welcome to the idea of another caregiver helping out, but they just want to be involved in the decision.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Talk It Over with Other Family Members
You may want to discuss the decision to give up caregiving with other members of your family, allowing everyone the opportunity to feel included. Some members of the group may want to offer their help with specific tasks or responsibilities. For instance, your sister-in-law may love the idea of getting to know your loved one better by dropping in for dinner once a week.
Consider a Compromise
Once you’ve delegated specific tasks to your family members, you may still have some errands left over. Hiring a home caregiver is a good option for seniors who choose to age in place. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Columbus families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Call Assisting Hands Home Care today to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.
