Even caregivers who have been incredibly conscientious about self-care earlier in their caregiving journey can find that as an aging adult nears the end of her life, that self-care plan goes out the window. Here are some ideas for putting self-care back at the top of your list.
End of Life Care in Elloree SC: Self-Care for CaregiversGet Yourself Some Help.
Having access to end-of-life care is going to be more important now than at any time of your caregiving experience. You’ll be able to step away or take care of something for yourself without having to worry that you’re leaving your senior on her own. You’ll be able to add margin to your day that you may not have had in way too long.
Keep a Running List of To Do Items.
It’s incredibly easy to forget or to overlook something that needs to be done, even if that task is one that is really important. You might find that keeping a running task list somewhere obvious, such as on the fridge or the kitchen counter, allows people to pick and choose tasks to handle for you. Plus, you won’t have to rely on your memory to get things done.
Take Breaks Often.
You need more breaks than you are taking, even if you think you’re already taking quite a few. If taking breaks is difficult for you, consider setting an alarm for five minutes before every hour and then just get up and walk around a bit when that alarm goes off. Gradually you can make a few of those longer breaks, especially if you have end-of-life care providers on hand to help you.
Make Sure You’re Eating and Drinking.
You might not realize it, but you may have slowed down on drinking water and eating regular meals. Snacking here and there may get you by for a little bit, but that’s not going to keep you fueled for very long. Concentrate on sitting down for at least one full meal a day and then concentrate on adding to that. Carry a bottle of water with you so you can try to stay hydrated, too.
Sleep Whenever You Can.
You might find your sleep suffering for a number of reasons. Your senior may be having periodic issues that require your assistance or you might simply be anxious about what’s going on with her. Regardless, your sleep schedule can take a big hit. Start tracking your sleep and make it a point to take naps to supplement poor sleep. Work on ways to get more consistent, uninterrupted sleep.
You should also pay attention to your mental health. If you’re noticing any signs of depression or burnout, it’s best to get help right away. This is when your aging family member needs you the very most.
If you or your aging loved one could benefit from End of Life Care in Elloree, SC, contact the caring staff at Grove Park Hospice, (803) 536-6644
- Three Keys to Help Prepare an Aging Senior for Home Care Support - October 9, 2020
- Five Reasons Your Senior Experiences Discomfort Near the End of Her Life - September 23, 2020
- Thank You Hospice Team! - September 17, 2020
