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Maintaining a Sense of Purpose When You’re a Family Caregiver

Caregivers in Spring Valley, TX – Don’t Let the Caregiving Routine Make You Lose Focus on Your Own Life

You accepted a great responsibility when you agreed to be a caregiver for your aging mother. Maybe this wasn’t something that you had planned on, but when she faced a serious health issue you knew it was your job to step up. She was unwilling to discuss hiring a home care provider initially, so you offered your time and assistance.

You’ve accepted this responsibility and as the days turned into weeks and then roll into months, you may feel as though your life doesn’t really have any purpose. You might feel as though your life is completely on hold at the moment. It’s important to have a purpose in everything that you do.

Below are a few tips that could help you develop purpose when you are a family caregiver.

Look for activities the two of you can enjoy together.

It’s important to encourage the elderly individual to get involved with other activities in life. If your aging mother is more interested in playing bridge or other card games with her friends, you might feel as though you’re sitting around waiting to drive her back home each time. This can certainly feel like you’re nothing but a chauffeur.

Instead, try to find activities that the two of you can enjoy together. This doesn’t mean she can’t get together with her friends when she wants, but when you are both enjoying activities together it’s going to make a big difference in your relationship and your life as a family caregiver.

Maintain your personal interests.

You might have had a habit of getting together with friends for coffee once a week, but now you can’t do that because you’re spending that time with your mother. Make sure that you continue taking part in your hobbies and the things that are important to you.

If you find that your time as a caregiver is cutting into these things and you have to give them up, seriously talk about an in-home care provider instead. It is absolutely crucial that we keep focused on the things that we enjoy as well.

Determine short and long-term goals.

If you don’t really have a vision for what to expect as a caregiver, you may not feel as though anything is improving. Sit down and talk with your elderly mother about what her expectations are and then figure out short and long-term goals that will be ideal for both of you.

If you have a loved one who could benefit from the help of caregivers in Spring Valley, TX contact At Your Side Home Care. We help seniors and their families with many levels of home care service. Call (832) 271-1600 for more information.

Donna Wrabel, LMSW

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