Know How You Can Sneak Some Time for Yourself During Elder Care

Know How You Can Sneak Some Time for Yourself During Elder Care

Eldercare isn’t an easy job and when you’re providing care to your own parents, things can be even more challenging. It can be very time consuming and it’s easy to feel as if there isn’t much time for themselves or anything else. This can all result in neglecting their own needs like working out, meeting friends, or even just relaxing.

But you can always take a break and sneak a little time for yourself while being a caregiver. Below are some quick suggestions for doing just that, while not compromising on the elder care at home.

Take Advantage of Naptime

Sleep is very important for everyone.  If you’re providing care for your elders, it’s very important that they get good sleep at night as well as in the day. So, when they’re taking a nap, why don’t you use that time for yourself? You can use it on many tasks like cleaning the house or doing the dishes, or you can also spend it on yourself or friends. You can also take a short nap to feel rejuvenated as well. In most cases, caregivers don’t get enough sleep so give yourself some care during this time.

Bring a Portable Hobby to the Waiting Room

As a caregiver, you are more likely to spend a huge amount of time sitting in the living rooms or waiting rooms with the ageing relatives. So, if you have a hobby that you have been planning to enjoy for a long time, try to bring the hobby with you to work. Some of the hobbies that you can enjoy alongside elder care include knitting, crocheting, and puzzle books.

Exercise During Television Programs

If there is a regular TV program that the elder loves to watch, you can use this free time to exercise. Of course you can’t go to the gym and return during this short span, but you can always do some marching or jogging, do some stretches or lift hand weights.  Of course, exercise is not a fun time for many people, but it can be a great choice to keep yourself healthy and active while you’re indulged in a job that needs long-time sitting. That means you’ll feel better and be more efficient in your caregiver duties.

Encourage Independence

Although it can be very helpful to do everything for the elders at home, you should always encourage them to be as independent as possible. By doing so, you will do good for both; yourself as well as the elders. After all, being independent helps the elders to have better self-esteem and also keeps them more physically active. And when they will do more for themselves, you’ll  have to handle less, which means you can save a lot of your time.

So, try the above-mentioned tips and save more time for yourself and Know How You Can Sneak Some Time for Yourself During Elder Care.

When Quick Breaks Aren’t Enough

While short breaks during the day can help reduce stress, many family caregivers eventually need a longer period to rest and recharge. Respite care allows a trusted professional to care for your loved one while you attend appointments, spend time with family, or simply take time to restore your own physical and emotional well-being.

If caregiving has become overwhelming, learn more from our Value of Respite Care to Help a Stressed Caregiver interview.

You may also find these caregiver resources helpful:

• Ten Frequently Asked Questions for Caregivers
• Are You in the Sandwich Generation?
• Memoirs of a Caregiver

Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it helps you continue providing the best possible care for your loved one. If you need guidance finding respite care or other caregiving resources, Senior Care of Sacramento is here to help.

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