Taking on the role of a family caregiver gives you the opportunity to bond with your elderly loved one and build special memories. There will be both good and bad times, and you need to maintain a positive attitude regardless of how challenging the role gets. When your loved one sees you stressed out, he or she may act out in a negative way. Take a look at how caregiver stress can affect your senior loved one’s wellbeing.
Leads to Poor Physical Health
Watching you stress out could cause your loved one to stress, which can lower his or her odds of longevity. A senior’s hormones need to be balanced to remain in good physical shape. When seniors mirror the stress their family caregivers display, they may have difficulty combating negative emotions. Find ways to manage stress, such as breathing techniques and exercising. Journaling and drawing are some of the many therapeutic activities you can consider when feeling stressed out.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you are caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Waterloo families who want to avoid burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Adds Unnecessary Pressure
If you are stressing about your loved one’s current health, you may end up putting pressure on his or her body. For example, if your loved one hears you talking about his or her inability to move around the home without assistance, he or she might exert too much energy trying to do daily tasks independently. Added pressure can affect the way seniors respond to treatment, and it can also slow down their recovery time. Never put pressure on your loved one, and refrain from complaining about your caregiving duties in his or her presence.
Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Waterloo senior care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Causes Tension
What is supposed to be a happy time full of bonding could end up becoming stressful and overwhelming for family caregivers. Even so, you will need to control your negative emotions, including stress and anxiety. If you don’t find ways to manage stress, you could cause tension and resentment between you and your loved one. When seniors are too tense, their heart health may be put in jeopardy. Sometimes all it takes is a little separation. During this time, you can enlist the help of family and friends or use respite care services. While you are away, you can clear your mind and catch up on rest.
Increases the Risk of Depression
Caregiver stress puts you at risk of developing depression, and it could have the same effect on your loved one. If you are stressed out all of the time, your loved one might imitate those negative emotions and experience chronic stress, which could lead to depression and other issues such as inflammation, infections, insomnia, and poor eating habits. Find ways to combat stress, such as speaking with a mentor or joining a caregiver support group. Socializing with others can reduce the amount of pressure you are under and lower your loved one’s risk of being stressed and depressed as well.
If you are the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care, Waterloo Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age. To learn about our premier in-home care plans, give us a call at (519) 954-2111 today.