How Can Family Caregivers Create a Plan for Stress Reduction?

During Stress Awareness Month, which happens every April, family caregivers may want to take a closer look at their own stress levels and any plan they already have for reducing stress. If they don’t have a plan, it’s definitely time to create one. Respite care providers can offer a lot of assistance in putting a stress reduction plan to work for family caregivers as they care for seniors they love.

Learn Symptoms and Triggers of Stress

Understanding caregiver stress means learning to recognize it. When family caregivers feel overwhelmed most of the time or are worried often, that indicates that they’re under a great deal of stress. Experiencing sleep issues, mood dysregulation, and changes in appetite can all be additional signs of caregiver stress. Keeping track of what triggers stress can also help family caregivers understand what they need to reduce stress levels.

Find Support with Caregiving

Caregiving causes quite a lot of stress for family caregivers, even when they’re happy to help the seniors they’re caring for. Getting support from home care services allows family caregivers to take a break and step back for a little while. Support groups for other family caregivers can be another valuable source of emotional support.

Take Time Away from Caregiving

No one can take care of someone else all day and night with no breaks whatsoever, and that is also the case for family caregivers. It’s crucial that they find a way to take time away from caregiving duties. Respite care offers the support that families need to know that seniors are in good hands so that family caregivers can have a break. At first this can feel weird for family caregivers, so making a list of activities they want to try while they have a break can be a helpful tool to keep them on target with their stress reduction goals.

Address Health Issues Promptly

When family caregivers are stressed, they may also have unmanaged health issues or health conditions they’ve been ignoring. Knowing that seniors are safe with respite care providers, family caregivers can take some time to focus on their health needs. Getting those issues under better control makes it much easier to reduce stress and get back to caregiving duties with a fresh perspective.

Keep Track of What Works and What Doesn’t

It’s also really important for family caregivers to start paying attention to what helps them reduce stress and what doesn’t. There are lots of recommendations out there for stress reduction, but they don’t all work perfectly for everyone. Keeping a log or journal does a lot to help family caregivers keep things in perspective and dig deeper into what they’re finding truly helpful.

Getting help from respite care providers is an important step in any stress reduction plan for family caregivers. Professional caregivers offer the assistance and support that seniors and families need while helping family caregivers feel secure taking some time away. Engaging their assistance on a regular basis can give family caregivers fast results as they seek to reduce stress.

If you or an aging loved one are considering respite care in Harrison, NY, please contact the caring staff at Griswold Home Care for Scarsdale & Yonkers today. (914) 337-5028.