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When you are caring for a senior loved one, it may feel like you have no time for yourself. No matter how much you care about the other person, if you do not give yourself the time and energy you deserve, you can become burned out or resentful towards the person you provide care for. The Caregiver’s Bill of Rights outlines all of the “rights” that you should give to yourself — including taking care of your well-being.

To continue caregiving without negatively affecting your mental health, you must find a caregiving and life balance.

Hire Extra Help

You do not have to do everything by yourself. Caring for your loved one does not give you as much time to take care of household chores. You might find yourself too exhausted at the end of the day to care for yourself, much less the state of your house. Consider hiring someone to clean your home.

Keep in mind that housekeepers tend to work as independent contractors or for cleaning companies. When you hire someone from a cleaning company, you have the assurance that the company vetted the employee. However, if you hire an independent worker, you can have the same person clean your house every time. Often, independent workers are sole professional proprietors that take their work seriously.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with Harmonia to learn more about their CarePanion Services. In addition to cleaning and homemaking, CarePanion can provide companionship, help with purchasing groceries, and monitor the safety of the home as a whole.

You may also want to consider hiring someone to ensure your home is safe for your senior loved one. A contractor can make changes to reduce the risks of falling and other potential hazards. Safety modifications can lessen your workload because your loved one can remain independent for longer.

Discover Your Path Forward

Do not give up on your dreams while caregiving. Find a way to marry your dreams with caregiving or to balance your goals. For instance, if you discover that you have a passion for helping people, you might want to think about seeking a nursing degree. If you earn an online degree in healthcare, you could learn new skills, regardless of whether you choose healthcare management, nursing, or health service coordination.

Goals are critical for all people. Without goals, you may have low motivation and could feel stagnant. If you find it challenging to set goals while caregiving, start small. Set specific, measurable, and realistic goals for yourself. Experts suggest taking large goals and breaking them into manageable steps to help you achieve them.

Cut Yourself Some Slack

Selfcare could include taking care of your body. Integrate a workout routine into your schedule. Consider a workout routine that you could involve your senior loved one in. For example, if your loved one does not have mobility issues, you may be able to go on walks together or count steps using a fitness tracker.

Selfcare is not selfish. It allows people to maintain their emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Selfcare is simply about doing things to improve your health and lower your risk of stress and illness. Make time for yourself. You could lose motivation and perform worse when you are unkind or critical of yourself.

In addition to mental and physical health, do not forget about your social health. Make time for your other friends and family members. Close connections are critical to your well-being. Try to go out often to have face-to-face contact with others.

Being a caregiver is fulfilling, and while it is essential to be there for your senior loved one, you must remember to care for yourself. If you let your health and wellness go by the wayside, you cannot care for your loved one and have a higher chance of developing depression.

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