The Caring Corner®
Three Rewards of Caregiving
Caregiving can be loaded with headaches, frustrations and concerns.
However, caring for your parents can also be a rewarding experience that can you bring closer to them and provide you with a sense of purpose. They are our parents and probably, for many of us, they did their best to care for us; it’s an honor and privilege to return the favor. We cared for my mom for 5 years, as she took that long, sad decline due to Alzheimer’s. There were challenges, but also some beautiful moments I will never forget.
In this post I want to highlight three of the positives of caregiving.
- You get to spend time with them. As your parents age, they’ll need more help. This means that you’ll have more opportunities to spend time with them. You can talk to them about their lives, their memories, the joys they had, the experiences they’ll never forget. You can read to them, play games with them, or just sit and enjoy their company.
- You can help them live a more comfortable life. At some point, they’ll need help with things like bathing, dressing, cooking, and transportation. Whether you do it directly or by organizing caregivers for them, you’ll help them stay as comfortable and independent as possible. You can also help them to manage their finances, their medications, and their health care.
- You can make a difference in their lives. Without you, who’s going to do it? You can make a real difference in their lives. You can provide them with love, support, and care and help them to maintain their dignity. Helping anyone in need is beautiful, but caring for your own loved one can be sacred.
At the end of a long day, when you’re worn out and exhausted after caring for your spouse, or mom or dad, the joy of caregiving may seem very distant. But it’s real and I hope that once is a while you can appreciate it. In the grand scheme of things, it’s one of the most important things you can be doing.
Here are some additional tips on how to care for your parents:
- Be patient and understanding. Caring for your parents can be a frustrating and demanding experience. It is important to be patient and understanding with them. Remember that they are going through a difficult time as well.
- Be supportive. Let your parents know that you are there for them and that you love them. Offer them your support and encouragement.
- Be willing to compromise. There will be times when you and your parents disagree. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for everyone.
- Take care of yourself. Caring for your parents can be a physically and emotionally demanding experience. Make sure to take care of yourself as well. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.
- Seek help when you need it. There are many resources available to help caregivers. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Call us when you need great caregivers for a loved in Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas. Caregivers can provide simple companionship or may serve clients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, on hospice and bed bound patients. From a few hours per visit to 24/7 care.
