Stress and negative emotional effects are major factors in caring for an elderly parent. In 2018, a survey by Carers UK revealed that 72% of carers find that providing care has a negative effect on their mental health, such as carer fatigue and burnout.
Caretakers frequently face emotional and mental strain, which can be exacerbated by trying to balance their own busy life and family. When caring for someone else, it is incredibly important not to forget your own needs and prioritise yourself.
Whether you have made the conscious decision to care for an elderly parent to limit residential care costs and respect their wishes or have been suddenly thrust into the position, it can be an emotional and stressful transition.
As a caregiver, you are responsible for the well-being of another person by providing assistance with personal care, hygiene, food and drinks, mobility, healthcare, and medical assistance. Those who care for elderly parents also often engage in emotional and mental support, handle financial and home affairs, and provide transportation.
Even those who provide care for a parent as part of a larger support network face an immense amount of caregiver stress and challenges, and those who do should not invalidate their own emotional distress.
The transition from "child" to family caregiver can be very complicated and can weigh on caregivers. Caring for elderly parents stress is incredibly common and can make caring even more difficult.
Caring for a loved one can have both rewarding and stressful aspects, and the emotional effects can build up over time. The feeling of being in over your head, being trapped caring for elderly parent, that there's no hope for improvement, or that your best efforts aren't making a difference are commonly reported by carers, and these can be stressful and disheartening.
If left unchecked, the emotional effects of caring for an elderly parent can have negative consequences for your health, relationships, and state of mind, including carer fatigue and burnout.
So, what is carer burnout? Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. When caregivers experience burnout, it negatively impacts both them and the person for whom they are caring.
Carer burnout symptoms include having less energy, being constantly exhausted, neglecting your own needs, caring for someone with little satisfaction, having trouble relaxing, being impatient and irritable, and feeling helpless and hopeless.
This is a very common experience for those looking after elderly parents, but nevertheless should not be ignored. It is very important to pay attention to signs of carer burnout
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If you feel trapped caring for elderly parent and that you are suffering from carer burnout symptoms, do not let it be a source of further caregiver stress for you; there are ways to manage it and resources available to help you.
Looking after elderly parents can be a challenge, both physically and emotionally. It's important to make sure you take care of yourself, both mentally and physically, to avoid burnout.
It is always important to take care of your physical health before caring for someone else. Everyone has their limits and looking after elderly parents will be much harder if you are not taking care of yourself.
Paying attention to your own health is the best way to combat caring for elderly parents stress. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and taking breaks are all important things to do for your health to help you cope with the emotional effects of caring for an elderly parent.
Even if you are busy, it is important to stay in touch with family members and friends.
Not only do they provide social interaction and support, but they can also be part of your care team. If you need help, consider talking to family or friends to share the workload or even simply to clear your mind from caring for elderly parents stress.
A common mistake among many carers is believing that they should not feel stressed, especially about caring for a parent.
You should not feel guilty for feeling emotionally drained or experiencing carer fatigue and burnout. This is perfectly normal, and once you have acknowledged and accepted it, it becomes easier to balance and relieve your caring for elderly parent stress.
It is important to schedule time for yourself away from your elderly parent. This time should be used to do things that make you feel good and not just to run errands or take a nap. You should not worry about feeling as if you are abandoning your loved one, as it is important to give yourself the rest and care your body needs.
If you find that caring for your parent is taking up a disproportionate amount of your time and energy, hiring a carer or short-term respite care can be a great way to ensure they get the care they need. It can significantly reduce your caring for elderly parent stress.
Respite care offers a temporary care solution and covers a wide range of tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and going to the bathroom. It can also provide a source of companionship and emotional support, which can be vital for elderly people. Our care home Southampton is still taking respite care applicants, contact us for more information.
If you're finding it hard to relax and switch off from being a family caregiver, it might be a good idea to mention it to your GP, who can suggest methods of coping and may even recommend someone to talk to.
Options such as mental health support and talking therapy specifically for carers are available, and a therapist may help you understand and manage the stress of being a family caregiver. They may give you more ideas about how to reduce the strain.
It is just as important to take care of your emotional and physical wellbeing as it is to make sure a family member goes to their doctor's appointment or takes their medication on time.
Many caregivers struggle with the emotional effects of caring for an elderly parent. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that caring for yourself is just as important as looking after elderly parents.
If you are struggling to balance caring for both your elderly parent and yourself, Avon Park can help. We provide support at many levels, including respite care and assisted living, helping you make more time for yourself.
