Asking Others for Help In Your Caregiver Journey

Caregivers in Glenwood MN: Asking Others for Help In Your Caregiver Journey

Taking on the role of being a family caregiver for an elderly parent is not something you should do lightly. This is a life-changing decision, and one that will impact far more of your life now and into the future than you may expect. Studies have shown that adults who care for their aging parents are far more susceptible to stress, and to the potential consequences of stress, than those who don’t. In addition to this stress, you will find that your schedule is much busier, and you may feel less able to fulfill other needs in your life, including taking care of yourself or engaging with your children. This makes it extremely important for you to realize you don’t have to do this all yourself. By including others in your caregiver journey you are not only ensuring your senior has access to all the care they need, but also protecting yourself, your health, your well-being, and the others who rely on you during this time.

Some things to keep in mind when asking others for help in your caregiver journey include:

• Be upfront about it. Rather than “beating around the bush” and waiting for someone to offer help, be straightforward in asking if they are willing to help with either a specific job, or a one-time task.
• Be prepared with suggestions. Whether you are asking them to participate, or they have offered their help, be prepared with suggestions for those who may help with your parent’s care. By telling them things they can do, or what you really need help with, you can better show them the difference they can make for you and for your parent. Having clear-cut examples of how they can help also helps to make the idea of being a part of a care team less intimidating.
• Be gentle with yourself. Often caregivers are reluctant to ask for help because they feel guilty, or think they are being lazy or letting their parent down by not doing everything themselves. Taking on the responsibilities of being a family caregiver is challenging, and can be overwhelming. Even those with just mild needs benefit from having access to additional care and support, making creating and relying on a care team a meaningful and beneficial decision you can make for both of you.

It is important to remember that you are not alone in your caregiver journey. Even if you do not have friends and family you can rely on to help your parent, or they are only able to offer a small amount of help, there is further support available. Home care can make a tremendous difference for you as a caregiver, and for your aging parent. The customized services of an in-home senior care services provider mean you can delegate tasks to this care provider in the ways that are best for your aging parent and for you. This means your schedule is more flexible, your stress is lower, and both of you can enjoy higher quality of life as your parent ages.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering caregivers in Glenwood, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350.