Who Are Aging The stress of home care for an aging parent

An AARP survey found that 49% of respondents expect to be a caregiver in the future and 21% of respondents aged 18+ say they are currently caregivers. In some instances, caregiving responsibilities can be a source of stress for the person receiving care, regardless of whether they live with family or are enrolled in a residential facility. Aging parents requiring home care in particular can often represent a challenge for adult children. Intergenerational living can be a joy, but adult children may also have trouble juggling work, childcare, and housework while tending to their aging parent’s physical and mental health needs. A home health agency may be able to assist in some instances, but this can exacerbate a family’s financial strain. Unique challenges of long-term care

Adult children and other family members who provide long-term care may face particular difficulties. When an elderly person has an immediate health issue, families may be able to temporarily give up time and resources, but the uncertainty of long-term care frequently causes stress. Adult children might start to worry about how long they will be able to provide intensive care or pay for long-term care services. It can be extremely upsetting to watch parents deteriorate as a result of a serious illness. 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. A caregiver may also experience a mixture of sadness, frustration, anger, and fear of losing their 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. When caring for a loved one puts a strain on their other relationships, some people may also feel guilty for feeling stressed or frustrated. A man appears focused as he checks his laptop screen while seated at his table.
Tips for taking care of oneself for caregivers 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. It’s common for caregivers to need someone to lean on in times of stress so they can vent or get support. During this time, friends who have gone through something similar might be of particular assistance. If you don’t have a support system, you might want to join an online or in-person caregiver support group. Schedule regular breaks from caregiving. Schedule breaks may seem difficult, but they can be essential for preventing burnout and maintaining mental health. If an adult caregiver is unable to find another family member to assist, respite care is available in many locations. Perform physical activity. Endorphins, the body’s feel-good hormones, may be released through exercise, according to research. You can also be reminded that your health is important and that you also deserve care by engaging in regular exercise in a way that is enjoyable for you. Implement a meditation practice. Mindfulness meditation may help caregivers who are juggling multiple responsibilities reduce stress and ruminating, two common symptoms. Even ten minutes of daily meditation can make a big difference. How a family caregiver can benefit from therapy In addition to engaging in self-care, caregivers may also benefit from speaking with a licensed mental health professional. A therapist can assist caregivers in overcoming emotional obstacles brought on by caring for an elderly parent and in discovering stress-relieving strategies that are healthy. Additionally, a therapist may be able to provide wellness strategies specific to the circumstances of each caregiver. A woman checks her phone while seated on a chair.
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Stress can come from being a caregiver. Get online support from a therapist. Online counseling for caregivers of elderly parents Some caregivers may experience difficulty finding time for in-person therapy appointments. Instead, they might gain from working with an online therapist in such cases. 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.
Clients can also use the in-app messaging feature of BetterHelp to contact their therapist at any time, and the 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. Online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be even more effective than traditional, in-person CBT for treating depression symptoms, according to one systematic review and meta-analysis. Takeaway