If you provide long-term care support to a loved one on a regular basis, it’s common to feel a lot of stress and to have your health deteriorate. Having to care for someone else, in addition to yourself, is a lot of responsibility. To help deal with the stress, take a look at the following tips. If you have any questions about other long term care options, contact an estate planning attorney.
- Make sure that you eat healthy and get enough rest. You need to take care of yourself first, so that you’re healthy enough to care for your loved one and the rest of your family.
- Communicate with your loved one. This can allow you both to discuss your frustrations and can allow you both to have a greater understanding and peace of mind.
- Take small breaks throughout the day. Even if the breaks are only for five minutes, they can allow you to catch your breath and relax for a moment.
- Try to remain as positive as possible. It can be difficult and depressing to see your loved one’s health deteriorate. Try to remain positive so that you can do a better job and so that you’re setting a positive tone.
- Look for ways to minimize stress. Make sure that you’re being as efficient as possible when handling your daily responsibilities so that you can feel a sense of accomplishment.
If you’re unable to handle the stress of serving as a caregiver, you may need to explore other options. Consider working as a team with family members and friends to handle care responsibilities. Additionally, you may want to look into other programs for your loved one such as senior day care or in home care. It’s important that both you and your loved one are comfortable with the care choices that are made.
If you have any additional questions about long-term care and serving as a caregiver, consult with a qualified estate planning attorney.
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney
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