Having a grandfather or grandmother is fun, especially for young kids, but sometimes taking care of them can be hard work. When you are caregiving for elderly people, you need to devote a lot of time, attention and perseverance. Elderly people are like small babies, they need to be pampered and fed. If you are not patient enough you can fall into depression.
To avoid being a victim of caregiver fatigue you need to follow these simple tips:
1. Keep a Smiling Face
You need to learn how to be in control and sometimes fight your emotions when caregiving for elderly people. Just because things are not going your way doesn’t mean you need to be sad. Learn to smile your problems away. Decide how you want to feel.
2. Exercise
Exercising is always the best way to relieve stress. Just a few minutes of working out can change your day by releasing powerful mood-changing endorphins to help you have a positive outlook. It also helps you to be alert when taking care of the elderly.
3. Be in their Shoes
Empathize, but more than that – learn to act the way they act when you are around them. This will help them to feel more comfortable so you will have an easier time taking care of them.
4. Take Time to Listen to Them
When caregiving for elderly, paying attention to what they tell you even if it does not make any sense is a good way of developing a good friendship with them. Developing a positive friendship will make your work easier. They will feel at ease around you and they will listen to what you say. No more using all your energy trying to control them.
5. Ask for Assistance
You should ask for help if you feel stuck or tired. Don’t be proud to ask for assistance. It could save someone’s life. Don’t let work drain you.
6. Learn to Say ‘No’
Stick to what you want or need, don’t just say ‘yes’ to impress people when caregiving for elderly. Take a deeper look at yourself and see what you want. Doing things for the sake of other people will drive you insane so you need to do things your way in order to take good care of the elderly.
7. Set a Daily Caregiving for Elderly Routine
A daily routine will not only help you, but also the person giving the care. A daily routine is easily followed and it is stress free because the work is planned.
8. Find Better Solutions by Staying Up-to-Date
Find out what resources are available in your area to help the elderly such as FREE Red Cross support. You can also solve many problems using the latest gadgets and technology. Check out these great solutions.
Caring for the Disabled | Caring for the Ill
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