Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult is stressful, but this can be particularly so when you live at a distance from your senior and are not able to be with them as often as you would like to be. This can leave you feeling as though you are not connected enough to your parent or that you are not able to give them the level of care that they deserve. There are many ways that you can work to ease this stress, but one of them is to schedule your care carefully.
Some of the ways that scheduling can ease your distance caregiver stress include:
- Predictability. Routine is an important part of any care efforts, but when you live at a distance from your senior, it is even more important. Having predictability in your efforts means that both you and your parent will know what care tasks that you will complete and when so that you can ensure they are handled as efficiently as possible.
- Organizing other tasks. When you live at a distance from your parent you often need to plan for tasks that you will complete for them far in advance. Scheduling these and sticking to those plans enables you to organize the other tasks that you need to handle in your regular life. This eases your stress by ensuring that everything that you need to do is handled when and how it needs to be and that you can see well in advance what you will need to do and when.
- Arranging for help. Scheduling tasks and needs allows you to arrange for help for your parent that ensures their needs are met even when you are not able to be with them. This help can come in the form of assistance from friends and family or from a care provider. Knowing that your aging parent has access to all of the help, care, and support that they need even when you are not available to be with them eases your stress and worry, and gives you peace of mind that they will be safe and healthy at all times.
- Keep in touch. When you are at a distance from your parent it can be harder to remain in touch with them. You can become busy and find that you have gone several days without talking to your loved one. This can put a strain on your relationship and on your care efforts. Scheduling phone calls, video chats, and visits ensures that you stay in close touch with your parent, keeping updated on their condition. This lets you make changes as needed, but also gives you something to look forward to, boosting your mental and emotional health and easing your stress.
If you have noticed that your aging parent’s needs and challenges have increased to the point that you are no longer able to handle them comfortably, or your schedule and obligations have changed and you are no longer able to give your parent the attention that they deserve, now may be the time for you to consider starting home care for them. A care provider can step in to fill any care gaps that might exist, ensuring that your senior’s individual needs are met and that you are still able to handle your other obligations and needs in life. This eases your stress and gives both you and your aging parent peace of mind knowing that both when you are able to be with them and when you are not, they will have the care, support, assistance, and encouragement they need to live the highest quality of life possible as they age in place.
For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable home care in La Costa, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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