If you’ve found yourself taking on the role of a caregiving, you’ve probably felt it’s equal parts rewarding and challenging. If you haven’t been a caregiver, you’ve probably heard enough stories that you know this to be true. This can be said about caregiving at any point in life. Especially for older adults, which is a unique caregiver experience. These tips can help you navigate caregiving for older adults.
What is caregiving for older adults?
Before we can talk about tips for navigating being a caregiver, it’s important to understand what it means to be a caregiver for an older adult.
By definition
The dictionary defines a caregiver as “a person who provides direct care (as for children, elderly people, or the chronically ill).” Older adults are included in that broad definition, but caregiving for older adults is different. Often referred to as family caregiving, you can think of caregiving for older adults as “a person providing care and support for an aging spouse, parent, loved one, or friend.”
The Ohio Masonic Communities is Here to Help
You don’t need to navigate caregiving for older adults alone. The Ohio Masonic Communities is Here to Help with Your Guide to Navigating the Caregiving Journey. This free guide covers the basics of what to expect as a family caregiver, how to recognize when your loved one needs more assistance, ways to get help as a caregiver, and more. You can request your free copy here.
5 Tips for Caregiving for Older Adults
Caregiving for older adults doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. These 5 tips can help you navigate your caregiving journey so you feel more rewarded and less overwhelmed.
1. Prioritize Independence
We grow up learning to value independence and spend our whole lives priding ourselves on our independence. When we need caregiving assistance as we age, it can feel like we’re losing the independence that has been part of our identity for so long. But, caregiving and independence aren’t one or the other. You can be a caregiver for an older adult and still prioritize their independence. It can be as simple as helping them with the tasks they need assistance with and not with the ones they don’t.
For example, your loved one may need help taking their medication and making meals. That doesn’t mean they need help getting to the bathroom or getting dressed. As a caregiver, you can encourage your loved one that you’re only there to help when they need it. It can be good for them mentally and can also help you prevent caregiver burnout.
2. Balance Relationships
One of the most difficult parts of being a caregiver for a loved one is role reversal. Especially in situations where you are taking care of a parent or grandparent. It can be hard for you and your loved one when they’ve always taken care of you and now you need to take care of them. Caregiving can create additional strain on your relationship.
If you’re caring for your parent, you now have to wear two hats in your relationship with them. You’re still their daughter or son. But, now you’re also wearing the caregiver hat. Juggling these multiple relationships with your loved one can be challenging, but there are things that can help. It can seem hard at times, but it’s important to prioritize and preserve your relationship with your loved one outside of being their caregiver. Think about the types of things you have always enjoyed doing together. Maybe it’s going to dinner, baking, playing a game, seeing a movie, or crafting. Whatever it is, find a way to continue doing it. This can give you time where you can focus more on being mom/dad, son/daughter, and less on being caregiver and person who needs care.
3. Have a Plan (and Patience)
Caregiving can come as a surprise. You often don’t get to choose when or how you become a caregiver, you just do. Like many things in life, with caregiving for older adults it’s important to have a plan. However, it’s just as important to be flexible and have patience when things don’t go according to plan. As you make your plans for caregiving, remember that nothing is set in stone. It’s okay to have a plan and then reevaluate it. Your caregiving plan may start with outlining what types of assistance your loved one needs and how often they need assistance.
You may decide that you need to sort out medications for the week on Sundays and check in for dinner two nights a week. That may be enough help and involvement at first. But, independence and the need for help change over time. Keep an eye out for other areas where your loved one may need assistance and adjust your plan as needed.
4. Ask for Help
Being a caregiver can be hard and it can look different for everyone. There isn’t one solution that always works for caregiving. There may be days or weeks where it feels like you’re on an island. But, you aren’t in this alone. Know who else is on your team, such as a sibling, cousin, friend, or professional. Make a list of people you can call when you or your loved one needs help. Your list will only be as good as you use it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
5. Take Care of Yourself
You’ve heard the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s true for every aspect of life, but especially for caregiving. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take good care of someone else. Selfcare looks different for everyone. You have to find what works for you. Think about what makes you feel joy or at peace and find practical ways to incorporate it into your routine.
How Senior Living Can Help Caregiving for Older Adults
There may come a time in your caregiving journey when you are no longer able to care for your loved one. It could be because they need more assistance than you are able to offer or because of changing demands with your own family or job. There is no right or wrong reason to choose to become a caregiver or decide that it’s no longer the right choice. No matter what you choose, you shouldn’t feel guilty for choosing what’s best for both you and your loved one. Senior living can be a great way for your loved one to get the care they need when family caregiving isn’t the best choice.
Sometimes, as a caregiver, you just need a break. Maybe you’re going on vacation, having a procedure, or just need time to take care of yourself. Many senior living communities offer respite care for exactly that. You can think of it like a hotel. Your loved one stays at the community and receives the care and assistance they need while you take your trip or take care of yourself. Often, respite stays can be as short as a weekend or as long as a month. Another benefit of a respite stay is that it gives you and your loved one a chance to try a senior living community before moving. After a week or two, you and your loved one may decide that moving to the community is the best choice.
Caregiving for Older Adults: One Journey
Everyone’s journey as a caregiver for older adults is unique. However, there is a shared experience that can form a camaraderie. Sometimes, it’s just helpful to hear someone else has experienced what you’re going through. In this episode of Senior Living Today, you can hear one man’s journey as a caregiver for his mother.
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, we support not only our residents, but also caregivers. With options for respite care and the resources available through The Ohio Masonic Communities Resource Center, we want caregivers to feel supported as they navigate the caregiving journey. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more about our respite care options, or would like to connect with our resource center, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.