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Creating a Support System for Yourself in Your Care Journey

November 3, 2016

Senior Care in Loxahatchee FL

Senior Care in Loxahatchee FLWhen you made the decision to become a family caregiver for your elderly parent it is likely that your first thoughts were of giving them the care and support that they need to handle their individual challenges and concerns. You wanted to make sure that you were there for them and that they always got everything that they need in order to live the lifestyle that they want. What you might not have thought about is how to ensure that you still got everything that you need in order to protect your own mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being throughout your care journey. Being a caregiver can be extremely stressful and difficult, and it is important that you have adequate support to ensure that you can continue to be the best that you can be for your parent and for everyone else in your life who relies on you, including yourself. Use these tips to help you create a support system for yourself in your care journey:
• Rely on your partner. Your partner is likely to be the most important factor in how you feel about yourself and your care efforts. While you likely do not want to feel as though you are always venting to them or only talking about your parent and their care, you should also not try to hide your stress or the difficulty that you are going through. Let them support and reassure you as you go through the challenges of this journey.
• Keep up with your friends. Do not let your friendships fall by the wayside because you are caring for your aging parent. Keep up with the people who matter to you and let your time with them be a way to relieve stress and boost your mental and emotional health.
• Find a support group. The best way to get support when you are going through something difficult is to turn to those who have also gone through the same issues. Look for a support group tailored to caregivers and take advantage of the benefits that this group can offer you. This includes emotional encouragement as well as advice based on their own experiences. In your care journey with your aging parent, senior care can be one of the best decisions that you can make, both for your elderly loved one and for you as their family caregiver. Hiring a senior home care services provider is not about you not wanting to care for your parent or not wanting them to have the very best in care and support. Instead, senior care can act as a supplement to the care that you give to your aging loved one and an effective way of ensuring that your senior gets the care, support, encouragement, and assistance that you desire for them and that they deserve. This means that even if you have limitations and challenges that keep you from being able to fulfill all of their care goals, whether it is a schedule that is too busy, living at a distance, or physical or emotional restrictions, you can still feel confident knowing that your aging loved one is getting the best in care and living the highest quality of life possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Loxahatchee, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.