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What Are the Best Ways to Give Yourself a Break Right Now as a Family Caregiver?

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When you’re stressed, you feel it in every aspect of your life. It also affects every area of your life and your relationships, especially with your elderly loved one. Here are some ways you can make sure you have a break now and then.

Take People up on Favors and Help When Offered

Are you one of those caregivers who turns down offers of help when they’re offered? Maybe you feel that people are offering simply to be nice or that they don’t mean that they’ll actually pitch in and offer real help. Regardless of the reasons, it’s time to stop. The next time someone offers help, take that person up on their offer, right there and then. Each time you say yes, it will get easier and easier to accept.

But Don’t Wait for Offers Before Giving Yourself a Break

Another trap that family caregivers can fall into is the other side of the coin. They wait and wait for someone to offer to help, but that offer never seems to come. If you’re waiting for your helpers to materialize, you’re going to need to be more proactive than that. Start making a list of people that you can recruit for help, even if the tasks are small ones like bringing the mail in for you in the afternoon. Then start asking for that help.

Understand Your Own Limitations

The biggest part of successfully taking a break, whether it’s a large or a small one, is to develop a larger understanding of what your own limitations are. Start to look at your personal stress indicators. Everyone reacts to stress differently, so having a thorough grasp of when you’re reaching your limits helps you to get help in place before you’re so stressed that you really can’t deal at all with one more thing.

Have a Backup Plan in Place

This is why you need to have a backup plan already in place before you’re up to your eyeballs in stressful events. Having a backup plan lets you lean back on that plan and call in reinforcements when you get close to your limits. Your backup plan might consist of a mix of other family members, friends, neighbors, and elderly care providers. There’s no right or wrong mix of these people as long as your loved one is safe and cared for properly.

When you do finally give yourself a break from your duties, don’t let guilt bring you down.

If you or an aging loved one are in need of caregiver services in Dix Hills, NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!

Stephen Sternbach

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