fsacares
As the calendar turns its pages to a new year, it’s a time-honored tradition to set resolutions. For family caregivers especially, the new year presents an opportunity to reflect on their journey and make intentional commitments to enhance their well-being and the quality of care they provide. The Caring Together Santa Barbara County network of organizations offer some meaningful resolutions tailored specifically for family caregivers.
We acknowledge that caregiving can be both overwhelming and extremely rewarding. Some of these suggestions may be out of reach for many caregivers. Keep in mind that our goal is to improve the wellbeing of the caregiver, as well as the person receiving care, not to add additional stress.
Prioritize Self-Care
Family caregivers often find themselves immersed in the needs of their loved ones, sometimes neglecting their own well-being. This year, resolve to prioritize self-care. This may involve setting aside dedicated time for relaxation, pursuing personal interests, and seeking support from friends or support groups. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish but essential for maintaining the strength and resilience needed in your caregiving role.
Seek and Accept Support
Caring for a loved one can be emotionally and physically demanding. One impactful resolution is to actively seek and accept support. Connect with friends, family members, or local caregiver support groups. Sharing experiences and learning from others can provide valuable insights, emotional relief, and a sense of community that helps alleviate the challenges of caregiving. Many organizations in the Caring Together Santa Barbara County (CTSBC) network offer support groups or other ways of connecting with supportive resources.
Establish Boundaries
Setting clear boundaries is crucial for maintaining a healthy balance between caregiving responsibilities and personal life. Recognize and communicate your limits, both to yourself and others.
Learning to say no when necessary and delegating tasks can prevent burnout and ensure sustainable caregiving over the long term.
Enhance Communication
Effective communication is the bedrock of any relationship, and it’s particularly vital in the context of caregiving. Resolve to enhance communication with your loved one, family members, and healthcare professionals. Open and honest dialogue can foster a supportive environment, facilitate decision-making, and strengthen relationships.
Explore Technology Solutions
In the digital age, numerous technological tools are designed to streamline caregiving tasks and improve the overall caregiving experience, such as medication reminder apps, virtual health platforms, or online resources for caregivers. Embracing these tools can enhance efficiency and alleviate some of the logistical burdens associated with caregiving.
Educate Yourself
Knowledge is power, and staying informed about your loved one’s condition, treatment options, and available resources is crucial. Make a resolution to educate yourself continuously. Attend relevant workshops, read informative articles, and stay connected with healthcare professionals to stay abreast of the latest developments in caregiving. You can stay in touch with us by subscribing to the CTSBC newsletter or following CTSBC on Facebook or Instagram.
Celebrate Small Wins
The caregiving journey is filled with both challenges and triumphs. Resolve to celebrate the small victories, whether it’s a good day for your loved one, successfully navigating a complex medical situation, or simply finding joy in the little moments. Acknowledging and celebrating these wins can contribute to a positive mindset and boost your resilience.
As family caregivers embark on a new year, these resolutions provide a roadmap for fostering personal growth, improving the caregiving experience, and enhancing the overall well-being of both caregivers and their loved ones. By setting these types of goals, family caregivers can navigate the challenges with newfound strength and determination. Here’s to a year of resilience, growth, and compassion in the world of caregiving.
I am the sole caregiver for my husband, 95 years old and 24 years my senior. Thank you for your article and great public service. My husband is service resistant, so life for me is further challenged. I am doing it alone. The thing I would most appreciate, a few hours by myself, in my home, once a week. I had that one time when I was able to take him to Friendship Center, Montecito, giving me four hours of respite. (An exceptional community resource, BTW) Just those few hours alone with my dog, at home, and not doing much of anything, gave me an inner strength that lasted for a week. I was much more patient and compassionate toward my husband.
I understand that there are resources for caregivers: folks who will come by and assist with bathing, or the Physical Therapist who now comes twice weekly. While a help, it’s still not providing the peace I so long for in my home. I don’t need people in the house, just quiet and not on call.
Right now, I am speaking directly to the close family members of elderly like my husband: their children and grandchildren. The above article is for you, too. To take a few hours from your busy lives and commit to your parent at this twilight time in their life when their world is so diminished. That includes parents with whom you may have a grievance. Maybe this is the time in life for forgiveness. You don’t have to do much. On your way to Costco, take your parent with you. Or take them for a walk along the breakwater, a safe place for those who use walkers. The very old don’t get out much, and they will enjoy the drive and just being around people. Consider that walking through grocery store aisles may be a chore for you, but for the homebound now dependent on everything, that’s a gift! How do you feel about being confined to your bed with a 24-hour flu? Aren’t you thrilled to get up and about again? Imagine, then, those who are confined in a room or a home for months.
And during that hour or two, you will have been giving a priceless gift to the 24/7 caregiver at home — quiet and peace. Happy New Year.
Good luck to you. There is resurgence for many after caregiving. It’s the hardest work — often extremely rewarding, but often not. It depends on the dependent one. Best wishes, and USE RESPITE CARE!
I worked with and used Center for Successful Aging, Alzheimer’s Association and Senior Planning Services when I was caretaking. Lifesavers, all of them.
Caregiver Support:
https://www.csasb.org/
Your loved one doesn’t need an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for help from them. They run a FANTASTIC caregiver education program, which is useful for working with any elder with decreased life abilities:
https://www.alz.org/cacentralcoast
https://seniorplanningservices.com/management-staff/
My mother was what you so euphemistically refer to as “service-resistant.”
It was a crap show. Please don’t martyr yourself. That’s a great part of self-care for caregivers: you DO still have and still DESERVE a life. Your situation sounds very stressful, I hope you can take care of yourself.