5 Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for an Elderly Loved One
Caring for an elderly loved one presents various obstacles. Whether you’ve been caregiving for years or are new to the role, you’re still likely to commit mistakes along the way. To make this task less stressful and more meaningful, here are five common mistakes you need to avoid.
Poor or lack of planning
Without an efficient and comprehensive plan, you won’t be able to properly handle unexpected situations and emergencies. Discuss with your elderly loved one’s doctor about their health condition and get professional suggestions on the best course of action.
Ensure you clearly understand what your senior loved one needs, especially regarding their health. For instance, if your stay-at-home elderly suffers from a chronic health condition or needs advanced care, hiring a registered nurse from a reputable care provider such as Husky Senior Care is ideal.
Thinking short-term
Another mistake to avoid when caring for an elderly loved one is thinking short-term. As your senior relative ages, their needs will continually change and increase. Your plan should include all possible future scenarios and solutions that can help address them.
Do you have enough financial resources to care for them, and for how long? Are you mentally or emotionally prepared to help them endure these challenging times? Consider how well you can provide care for your elderly, and remember to think long-term when making decisions.
Disrespecting your elderly loved one
No matter how frail or old your senior loved one is, you must always treat them with respect and dignity. Never treat your elderly as a child, and make it a point to include them in your decision-making process. Even if they’re sometimes difficult to manage, refrain from degrading them with your words and actions. Communicate your intentions to your loved one and encourage them to voice their sentiments. Learn to compromise on conflicting issues and let them feel you value their opinions.
Doing it all
One biggest mistakes caregivers make is doing everything by themselves. Many caregivers easily get burnout as they tend to burden themselves with all responsibilities, assuming that asking for help is a sign of weakness or they just don’t want to bother others.
While caregiving requires wearing many hats, you must seek help early on and learn to get comfortable receiving it. Have a family meeting and communicate your needs with your loved ones. Whether it’s preparing meals, driving your elderly loved ones to checkups, paying for caregiver services, or accompanying them to group classes, make sure you get every family member involved in this journey.
Neglecting your own needs
With all the demands of caregiving, it is relatively easy to neglect your own needs and well-being. To prevent burnout, you must prioritize self-care, regardless of how busy you may be. Ensure you eat well, exercise regularly, stay hydrated, spend time with loved ones, do activities you enjoy, and visit your doctor for regular check-ups. Caring for your elderly should not be at the expense of your own health and happiness, so remember to always make time for yourself.
Endnote
While caregiving can be challenging, the journey itself is rewarding and fulfilling. Take note of these mistakes, do your best to avoid them, and don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek help.