If you’re looking for ways to make caregiving easier for you and to help your loved one even more, then setting limits is the way to go. By setting some boundaries for yourself when it comes to caregiving you can focus on what you’re willing and able to do.
Evaluate Your Needs as Well as Your Loved One’s Needs
The first step is always going to be looking at what you truly need and what your elderly loved one needs, as well. Then you can start looking at how well those needs work together. If there are aspects of care that your loved one needs, such as help dressing, that you cannot physically help her with due to your own health issues, that’s a prime example of needs clashing.
What Are Your Priorities?
You may have priorities in your own life that take precedence over your loved one’s needs. That’s not a matter of you being cruel. What that means is that you are aware of your priorities and you’re willing to accommodate them. Just because something is a higher priority than a need of your loved one’s, that doesn’t make you a bad person or a bad caregiver.
You Can Say “No”
Saying “no” can be so difficult for family caregivers because it feels like such a selfish thing to do. The truth is that you’re not being selfish if you say no. You’re paying attention to your needs and priorities and you’re acknowledging that you can’t meet your loved one’s needs at that time. Saying no also doesn’t mean that you’re saying no forever. That may be your answer one time for one situation.
Get Help for What You Can’t Do
Just because you’re saying no for now, that doesn’t mean you’re leaving your elderly loved one there to flounder on her own. She still needs assistance in some way and you can facilitate that for her. Find someone who can do what you’re not able to do, whether that’s other family members or elderly care providers. There’s no reason that anyone, either your or your loved one, needs to suffer because you’re not able to take over.
You may even find that your limits change from time to time. That’s normal and there’s no reason to feel guilt about that at all.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional elderly care in Hillsborough, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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