Easing the Load: Practical Advice for Working Caregivers of Seniors
by Millie Jones of Senior Wellness
7 Great Ways to Reduce Stress
Balancing work, caregiving, and personal life presents a unique set of challenges, especially when caring for seniors. Caregivers often find themselves juggling their professional responsibilities, personal needs, and the demands of providing care to their elderly loved ones. Finding harmony among these roles is crucial for maintaining well-being and achieving a sense of fulfillment. In this article, we will explore various strategies to help you balance these aspects of your life effectively with 7 Practical Ways to Reduce Stress.
1) Nurturing Relationships
Maintaining strong connections with friends and family can provide a critical support network during stressful times. Regularly communicating with loved ones and spending quality time together can strengthen these bonds. It’s essential to prioritize these relationships, as they offer emotional support and can be a source of joy and relaxation. Engaging in activities that are enjoyable for both you and your loved ones can also nourish your well-being and enhance your relationships.
2) Exploring Less Stressful Career Options
If the pressure from your current role complicates the caregiving balance, exploring a more accommodating job could be beneficial. Look for opportunities that allow for growth and advancement in your career, even as you fulfill your caregiving responsibilities. By utilizing a free resume template, you can effectively update your resume to showcase the skills and experiences that qualify you for a different position. Adding your own images, copy, and colors ensures your capabilities are presented compellingly. Such a shift in career paths might just be the key to aligning your professional life with caregiving duties more harmoniously.
3) Planning for the Future
Anticipating the future needs of your loved one and planning accordingly can alleviate much of the stress associated with caregiving. Creating a financial plan to cover potential caregiving expenses ensures you’re prepared for what lies ahead. Additionally, seeking advice from professionals or support groups can provide guidance and make complex caregiving decisions more manageable. Being proactive in planning for the future can secure long-term well-being for both you and your loved one.
4) Practicing Gratitude
Cultivating gratitude focuses on life’s positive aspects. Start a gratitude journal by recording things you’re thankful for each day. This habit builds resilience and contentment, aiding in the work-caregiving-personal life balance. It’s a powerful tool for facing caregiving challenges with a positive mindset.
5) Setting Boundaries
It’s crucial to establish clear boundaries to safeguard your personal time and overall well-being to reduce stress. Effectively communicating your needs and limitations to your employer, colleagues, and family is essential. By setting aside time for self-care and respecting your boundaries, you can prevent burnout and maintain your health and happiness. Prioritizing these practices helps you stay balanced and focused, enabling you to provide better care for your loved one.
6) Celebrating Small Victories
Acknowledging and celebrating small victories significantly uplifts your spirits and boosts your motivation. Whether it’s completing a task related to caregiving or achieving a professional milestone, recognizing these successes delivers joy and a profound sense of advancement. This act of acknowledgment is vital for maintaining a positive outlook, especially amidst the multifaceted challenges of caregiving. Engaging in this practice is essential for fostering a sense of accomplishment and well-being during demanding times.
7) Considering Senior Living for Your Loved One
Finding the right senior living for your loved one involves researching options that match their needs and preferences, considering their health, social, and lifestyle requirements to ensure a comfortable and fulfilling living situation. Golden Placement Services streamline the search for suitable senior living options. They provide expert advice on choosing the right facility for your loved one’s needs, ensuring they get the care they deserve. This reduces your caregiving load and maintains your loved one’s well-being. Such services are a strategic resource in managing caregiving responsibilities effectively. Achieving a balance between work, caregiving, and personal life is critical for your well-being and fulfillment. Implementing the 7 Practical Ways to Reduce Stress strategies discussed in this article can help you find harmony in these roles. Remember, prioritizing self-care and seeking support when necessary is vital for managing these responsibilities effectively.
This Article is written by Millie Jones of Senior Wellness
Navigate New Housing with the specialists at Golden Placements:
Golden Placements helps you manage resources. We take care of the leg work for finding your best living situation. Using GPS means you can enjoy your best Golden Years knowing you are getting Ethical Senior Help. GPS has ideas gathered over years of experience by being Senior Life Specialists. Portland Senior Living and their various options from our Golden Girls specialists are IS NO COST. Community living and finding the right living choice for you or your loved one is important. We help you navigate the details. Here are more resources to help you learn more about our services:
- You can call us today or continue to read more about Long Term Care Planning with our friends at ACL
- Oregon Defines and Describes ADLs for us legally here: Long Term Care
- Golden Placements RESOURCES to find CARE Services
- Quality locations for you Senior Loved One with the Golden Girls
- Senior Living Near Me – Adult Home Placement
- Explore Residential Care Senior Homes “near me”
More Articles by Guest Writer Millie Jones at her website: Senior Wellness
Diane Delaney, Placement Specialist Extraordinaire
Delaney is the founder of Golden Placement Services. She began this business with a healthy dose of compassion for helping families make educated decisions regarding senior placement. Focused to relieve stress in uncertain senior housing crucial moments. Diane brings about loving change of lifestyle with grace. Additionally, Diane is an accomplished executive manager, Director of Operations in senior housing. Emphatically, she enjoys sharing her full spectrum experience of transition process for older family members. Read more from Senior Placement Specialist Diane: Ultimate Senior Living Resource Guide >>
LaVona Tomberlin, Senior Placement Specialist
Tomberlin brings a high level of education and experience to you as your Senior Placement Specialist at GPS. She loves writing about improving the lives of older adults working in private care and in-home care for over 36 years. Geriatrics, Memory Care. Plus, she holds Master of Psychology Behavioral Health with the goal of advocating for those who needed a voice. Basically, LaVona believes helping the families to make good decisions relieves stress in uncertain times making golden years worthwhile! Learn More: Read articles from Placement Specialist LaVona: End of Life Transition a heart felt Guide >>
Gwenn McNeal2023-03-09Golden Placement Services answered! It’s really difficult to have to place an aging parent into a facility, but our family knew it was time. So I did some research, called 15 facilities, and managed to get on one wait list. I also called two companies that assist with finding homes, and they said they could not help. We were concerned we wouldn’t find a place, and if we did, it could be a very poor choice for our dad. Then I was given Golden Placement Services phone number and I spoke with a lovely woman named LaVona. That’s when everything changed! LaVona listened to our family’s needs, was understanding, and within days, she had arranged places for us to visit. How she found them, I don’t know, but she did! She met us there, listened some more, answered questions, and offered sage advice. We will forever be grateful for Golden Placement Services help in making this very tough decision. We absolutely know that my dad is in the right place to spend the rest of his life. And, we wouldn’t have that assurance today, had we not been connected with their wonderful service! They have blessed us greatly and we are sharing their information with others we know who are going through the same process.
Maureen S.2022-10-18Our family is so grateful for Diane and her company. They have helped us, two times find placements for our family members. We are now working now to find a great situation for another elderly family member.. Best thing, THEY CARE about each client and their wellbeing... THANK YOU, Diane
Addison Inman2019-05-31What a great resource for seniors in this area. Great, honest work. Very knowledgeable.
Denise R2013-03-23They were very helpful and while being professional, kind and caring. They were thorough in trying to find the best arrangement for our situation and followed-up to make sure client's new arrangements were satisfactory. I highly recommend them.
