Mental Health Tips For Family Caregivers Who Are Caring For Elderly Parents
While caring for elderly parents can be a significant opportunity to show love during their senior years, it can also present various challenges. For many people, caring for an older parent is a new experience that involves a shift in roles and a mix of emotions. Here, we’ll discuss a few common challenges faced by caregivers as well as strategies that may help family members protect their emotional wellness.
The stress of home care for an aging parent
Aging parents requiring home care in particular can often represent a challenge for adult children. While there can be joy in intergenerational living, adult children may also struggle to juggle work, childcare, and household chores while caring for the physical and mental health needs of their aging parent. In some cases, a home health agency may be able to help, but this can add to the financial stress of a family.
Unique challenges of long-term care
Long-term care can be especially challenging for adult children and other family members providing it. While families may be able to temporarily sacrifice time and resources when older adults have an acute health challenge, the uncertainty associated with long-term care often causes stress. Adult children may begin to worry about how long they can continue to provide intensive care or contribute financial resources for long-term care services. Watching parents decline due to a serious illness can also be deeply distressing.
Common mental health challenges faced by family caregivers
Family caregivers like siblings or other adult children often experience a wide range of emotions when caring for an older parent. In addition to the joy and satisfaction they may feel at being able to provide for their parent and share daily moments with them, a caregiver may also feel a mix of sadness, frustration, anger, and fear of losing their parent. Some people may also experience a sense of guilt for feeling stressed or frustrated when their other relationships are affected by caregiving responsibilities.
Self-care tips for those involved in caregiving
Adult children caring for parents or other older adults may be able to reduce their stress and protect their emotional well-being by implementing strategies like the following:
- Build a support system. Caregivers often need people to lean on so they can vent about or receive support related to caregiving stressors. Friends who have been through a similar experience may be of particular help during this time. Individuals who don’t have a support system might consider joining a caregiver support group, either in person or online.
- Schedule regular breaks from caregiving. It may seem difficult to schedule breaks, but they can be critical for maintaining mental health and avoiding burnout. Respite care is available in many areas if an adult caregiver is unable to find another family member to help out.
- Engage in physical exercise. Research suggests that exercise can trigger the release of endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good hormones. Getting regular exercise in a way that’s enjoyable for you can also remind you that your health is important and that you deserve care, too.
- Implement a meditation practice. Mindfulness meditation may help reduce stress levels and rumination, both of which can be common among caregivers who are juggling multiple responsibilities. Even 10 minutes of meditation per day may make a significant difference.
How therapy can help a family caregiver
In addition to engaging in self-care, caregivers may also benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health professional. A therapist can help caregivers process emotional challenges related to caring for an aging parent and find healthy ways to cope with stress. A therapist may also be able to provide wellness strategies that are tailored to each caregiver’s particular situation.
Online therapy for those caring for elderly parents
Some caregivers may experience difficulty finding time for in-person therapy appointments. In such cases, they may benefit from connecting with an online therapist instead. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp allows caregivers to speak with a qualified therapist with a master’s degree virtually, from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
With BetterHelp, clients can also reach out to their therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and their therapist will respond as soon as possible. This feature may be especially helpful on days or nights when a caregiver is feeling overwhelmed by stress.
In addition to offering flexible communication, research indicates that online therapy may often be effective for treating various mental health conditions. For instance, one systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be even more effective than traditional, in-person CBT for treating symptoms of depression.
Takeaway
What are some signs of stress in family caregivers?
High stress levels are common among those who provide care for an ill or aging family member. The following are some possible signs of stress in family caregivers:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Feelings of overwhelm
- Headaches
- Loneliness
How can a family caregiver navigate home care?
Family caregivers may find it easier to navigate home care if they can schedule regular breaks. This may require asking friends or family members to stay with an aging parent for an afternoon or overnight now and again, or exploring respite care options.
Home care may also be more manageable if caregivers form a plan to take care of their own mental and physical health. For families with outside home health providers, the home care process may go more smoothly if there are clear expectations about the scope of care and the time commitment expected of providers and family members.
How does a family know when a person needs long-term care?
A person may need long-term care if their condition shows no signs of improvement. For example, if a person has a severe illness that is degenerative, like Alzheimer’s disease, they will likely need assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating and practicing hygiene. This type of care is often offered by a nursing home or similar facility.
How can caregivers protect their mental health when caring for elderly parents?
Caregivers may protect their mental health by implementing stress management practices, such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises. Getting regular exercise can also lead to improved mental health, as it can trigger the release of endorphins.
Is there outside help available for an aging parent?
Some people may qualify for home care or respite care services, depending on their insurance coverage. For those who don’t qualify, family members might be able to find some assistance through local community organizations.
How do you ask for help with caregiving?
For those who find it difficult to ask for help with caregiving, it may be useful to start with small requests. For example, a caregiver who needs a break might ask if someone they trust can stop by for 30 minutes just to be present with an aging parent. Those who don’t feel comfortable asking in person might consider sending a text message.
How do you deal with sadness about aging parents?
It’s natural to experience sadness related to aging parents, particularly if they’ve recently spent time in the hospital or are displaying signs of declining health. If this sadness interferes with your everyday life or becomes challenging to manage on your own, it may be helpful to speak with a therapist for professional support. You may also find it beneficial to spend time with your parents and express gratitude for the experiences you’ve shared together.
What is burnout from caring for elderly parents?
Caregiver burnout generally refers to a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that develops in response to the demands of providing personal care to another person, such as one’s mother or father. Often, people caring for loved ones neglect their own needs to focus on those of their relative, and they often do so for little to no pay. They may spend significant amounts of time helping their loved one with daily tasks, installing grab bars and other home modifications, and offering emotional support. However, it can be essential to make time for self-care. You may be able to find resources in your community that can offer support to caregivers.
How long does caregiver stress last?
Caregiver stress can last indefinitely if it is left unaddressed. Everyone’s situation is unique, so if you’re concerned about your stress levels, it can be best to speak to a licensed mental health professional. They may be able to provide personalized guidance and recommend helpful resources. In some cases, you may realize that your family member requires nursing home-level care and simply cannot live independently, even with your help. Individuals living with disability who need help with medications, finances, and personal care may need more support than one person is able to provide.
How can I reduce my caregiver anxiety?
Practicing healthy habits, such as getting plenty of sleep, eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly, can reduce anxiety symptoms. When putting together a daily schedule, try to account for some time spent doing activities you enjoy. You might consider joining support groups or other programs intended to help caregivers as well. Asking for help from other family members may also reduce anxiety.
- Previous Article
- Next Article