Being a caregiver for seniors is a fulfilling occupation, but it
can also be incredibly stressful as not many other jobs can be. Without proper
care and stress relief tactics, this line of work can quickly take its toll on
a person physically and emotionally.
There are many different stress relief
techniques that senior homecare caregivers can take part in that will
dramatically improve their emotional wellbeing by helping to reduce the stress
of their jobs.The job of a caregiver is a big job and goes beyond providing health care and basic daily needs management for seniors. Caregivers really care about their clients and get emotionally involved with them. Given the nature of the work, it can be very difficult when dealing with an ailing senior whom is beyond one’s help or losing a client that one had been working with for a while. It is an unpleasant reality of this kind of work, but it is a vital and worthwhile line of work with so many rewards that these negative aspects do not take away from what people get out of this career.
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| Home Care Services For Seniors |
Caregivers provide a wide range of services for seniors and put
in very long hours that can take an emotional and/or physical toll without
proper rest and time spent doing enjoyable and leisurely activities. Some
caregivers only work part-time, but others are live-in, and with their clients
twenty four hours a day, making finding ways to cope all more important.
- Learn acceptance: Caregivers do their best to provide the highest quality
care to their clients. However, the seniors in their care are often sick
and infirm and caregivers lose clients from time to time due to aging or
illness. This takes a huge mental toll on a caregiver. One has to
learn to accept that this is part of the job and try to learn how to
not take it personally or blame themselves for the
inevitable loss.
- Engage in stress
relieving exercises: Whether it
is walking, positive visualization, deep breathing exercises, yoga
or something completely different, finding some sort of physical
activity that can get your mind off the job and burn off some of that
excess stress and energy, will make dealing with the job a lot
easier. Exercise is good for the mind and body and it is a great way
to let off emotional steam.
- Join a support group: There are many different support groups and
organizations that bring together caregivers and allow them to share
their stories and their feelings. It can really help to just let out
your feelings and talk to others who understand the stress of
your job and what you deal with on a daily basis. These are also
great places to learn new stress relieving techniques that have
worked well for others in your position. If there isn’t a local
support group in your area, consider starting one up. It doesn’t have
to be something big and elaborate, just a few
caregivers meeting once a month in one’s home.
- Make time for a life
outside work: This
is a job that is very easy to get “married” to. Even during off
hours, many caregivers are worrying about their clients or spending
way too much overtime watching after their clients. While it is
important to provide high quality care and be available when you are
needed, you must have a life outside of work. Do not abandon friends
and family for your job or you will burn out over time and be without that
vital support network that makes life and dealing
with stress so much easier. Make sure to make time for yourself and
to do things that you enjoy. Don’t give up hobbies, nurture them in
the time you have. Also be sure to socialize and get out and enjoy
time with friends and family. These fun times will help make dealing
with the stress of the job much easier.
Preferred Private Care
provides the highest quality in-home care for seniors. We offer a wide range of
services and our staff is comprised of the highest trained caregivers who work
with compassion and care. If you have a senior in your life that is in need of
in-home care, contact us today to schedule a free in-home assessment. Our staff
will come to your home and meet with you and your family to help determine the
best ways we can help to care for an aging member of your family.
