The Best New Year’s Resolutions for Those Taking Care of Family Members at Home
If you are one of the 8% of Americans who actually stick with their New Year’s resolution goals, congratulations! However, if you’re like most of us, you quit well before even turning the calendar page to February. Although it is commendable to make an effort to better ourselves by resolving to lose 10 pounds or eat healthier, for busy people taking care of family members at home, there are lots of truly meaningful, attainable goals that will improve life throughout the year.
Find joy. Caring for another person is a labor of love, but can result in challenges which make it hard to concentrate on the daily positives that can create joy. Take some time daily to pause to find a reason to smile. Bring a sense of humor into the daily caregiving tasks to share laughter together with your family member. Enjoy the feeling of the sun's rays shining through the window as you are sortinglaundry. Contact someone who lifts your spirits for a quick chat.
See the big picture. Strive to take a step back from the busyness of your to-do list, and view the impact your caregiving is making. Because of you, your parent is able to continue living in the comfort and familiarity of home. Because of you, life is the absolute best it can be for the senior. Your contribution is priceless and it is making a big difference.
Compartmentalize. It is exceedingly important to make mental wellness a main priority, and one effective way to manage the numerous different responsibilities that come with providing care is to be entirely focused on the present. Visualizing different rooms for different concerns can be helpful; so in case you begin to worry about a scheduled surgical procedure a senior loved one is facing while watching a show together with your kids, think about placing that concern in its appropriate room until later, and focusing on the present.
Be kind to yourself. It’s not hard to succumb to a pattern of wishingyou could do more for a parent, or worrying about errors you have made which you wish you could change. Point out to yourself that you are human, and that you’re performing essential work for the individual you love. Appreciate the sacrifices you are making, in the same way you would take note and appreciate them in another family caregiver.
Seek – and accept – support and help. Trying to be a superhero who manages everything independently can easily contribute to burnout and depression. Partnering with others to help your parent is the best approach to be sure his or her needs are completely met, while helping you achieve the healthy life balance you need and deserve.
Midnight Sun Home Care is the perfect partner for family caregivers, providing highly skilled, professional, and compassionate care for older adults according to each person’s individual needs. Let us help! For a personal care assistant Alaska families prefer most, call us at (907) 677-7890 and together we can develop a plan of care to make 2020 the greatest year yet – both for the senior in your care, as well as for yourself.