How Caregivers in Bethesda, MD and Surrounding Areas Can Manage Stress

Caring for a senior parent or family member is a significant and rewarding endeavor. It's also not a simple one. While you may like spending time with your loved one and making sure they can stay in their home, being the primary caregiver may be challenging at times. This is particularly true if you are caring for a loved one while simultaneously caring for your own family, concentrating on your profession, maintaining your own social life and making time for yourself.

As a family caregiver, you should never be afraid to admit that you sometimes need help. Constant stress may have a negative influence not just on your health and well-being, but also on your capacity to care for a loved one at home as they age.

In order to carry out their obligations effectively, family caregivers must understand how to cope with caregiver stress. Fortunately, you have a variety of coping strategies at your disposal. Whether it's taking deep breaths in difficult situations or hiring professional caregivers from Visiting Angels of Bethesda, it's important to find a solution that works for you so that you can continue to offer senior care to your loved one without becoming overwhelmed.

What Are the Signs of Caregiver Stress?

Before you can start creating coping strategies, you must first understand the most prevalent symptoms of caregiver stress. Everyone has a terrible day at some time in their lives, but allowing these bad days to build up may be detrimental to your emotional and mental health. It may also have a detrimental impact on your connection with your senior loved one.

These are the common signs of caregiver burnout:

• You’re having difficulty concentrating. When you're always trying to keep up with everything going on in your loved one's life, it might be difficult to concentrate on other people, projects and activities.
• You’re completely overwhelmed. If you are always worrying about how you will manage all of the obligations that are being expected of you as a family caregiver, you may be suffering from caregiver stress.
• You’re too exhausted to care. When you've been caring for a loved one all day and night, you may get exhausted and let some things to slip through the cracks.
• You’re trying to avoid social situations. You may want to spend time with your friends, spouse or children, but caring for a loved one frequently exhausts you.
• You’re having trouble sleeping. When you can’t focus on anything else other than caring for your loved one, falling or staying asleep becomes even more challenging.
• You’re upset or irritated with a loved one. Being with someone who requires your assistance at all hours of the day and night may lead you to rapidly lose patience.

Fortunately, caregiver burnout does not last forever. When providing senior care for a loved one, there are several strategies for coping with stress.

How Can I Manage Caregiving Stress?

What helps you relax will impact how you deal with the stress of caring for a loved one. You may feel better after speaking with a close friend, family member or therapist about the challenges you regularly face. You could also find comfort in your favorite interests and hobbies. Being a family caregiver requires managing stress in a healthy manner and avoiding burnout in order to be there for your loved one.

Here are some ways to help deal with stress:

• Create a self-care routine – Managing stress requires a self-care routine. After caring for a loved one, taking time to concentrate on your own needs may help you feel peaceful and comfortable. Taking deep breaths or making a cup of hot tea can be simple ways to take care of your own well-being. You could even treat yourself to a spa day or a day in the park.
• Keep a personal journal - Writing in your personal diary on a regular basis can help you gain control of your emotions and lower your stress levels.
• Talk to someone - Simply talking to someone about your experiences and issues with providing senior care for a loved one can help you feel less stressed. Furthermore, speaking with friends and family may help to build a support network, making caring for a loved one simpler. For example, you may have a buddy who is in a similar position to you and may offer tips on caring for a senior loved one or dealing with challenging situations. During the week, a family member may offer to help you with caregiving duties, giving you some time to relax and recharge.
• Count on Visiting Angels of Bethesda - Hiring a professional caregiver from Visiting Angels of Bethesda can be a great long-term alternative for family caregivers in need of a break. In the comfort of your loved one’s own home, our caregivers can assist them with everyday activities while also giving meaningful company. When you choose our in-home care services, you can concentrate on spending time with your loved one without having to worry about their care. You may also spend your time to friends, family or yourself while knowing your loved one is safe.

Call Visiting Angels of Bethesda at 301-490-9050 to learn how our home care services help seniors and family caregivers!