Meaningful New Year resolutions can be transformative for family caregivers.If you’re one of the 8% of Americans who actually realize their New Year’s resolution goals, congratulations! But if you’re like most of us, you’ve given up before even turning the calendar page to February. Although without a doubt it’s commendable to strive to better ourselves by resolving to get rid of 10 pounds or eat healthier, for busy family caregivers, there are many achievable and meaningful New Year resolutions that can improve life all through the year
- Find joy. Caring for someone else is a labor of love, but can result in challenges that make it hard to focus on the daily positives which can ignite joy. Take some time on a daily basis to pause and discover a reason to smile. Bring a sense of humor into your daily caregiving tasks to share laughter along with your loved one. Take pleasure in the feeling of the sun shining through the window as you’re organizing laundry. Phone a relative who lifts your spirits for a quick chat.
- See the big picture. Attempt to take one step back from the busyness of your to-do list, and view the complete effect your caregiving is making. Thanks to you, your loved one can continue living in the comfort and familiarity of home. Thanks to you, life is the absolute best it can be for a loved one. Your contribution is priceless and it is making a big difference.
- Compartmentalize. It’s really important to make mental health a main priority, and one effective way to manage the numerous different responsibilities that are included with providing care is to be fully focused on the present. Picturing different rooms for different concerns can be helpful; if you begin to be worried about a scheduled surgical procedure a loved one is facing as you’re watching a film together with your children, visualize setting that concern in its appropriate room until later, and focusing on the present.
- Be kind to yourself. It is very easy to get caught in a pattern of hoping you could do more for a loved one, or thinking about mistakes you’ve made which you wish you might change. Emphasize to yourself you are human, and that you are undertaking worthwhile work for the individual you love. Truly appreciate the sacrifices you are making, in the same way you would take note and appreciate them in another family caregiver.
- Seek – and accept – support and help. Attempting to be a superhero who handles everything independently can easily lead to burnout and depression. Partnering with other people to help a loved one is the best approach to make sure his or her needs are completely met, while helping you realize the healthy life balance you need and deserve.
Home Sweet Home In-Home Care is the ideal partner for family caregivers, delivering highly-skilled, professional, and compassionate care for senior loved ones according to each person’s individual needs. Allow us to help! Contact us at (269) 963-9888 and together we can develop a plan of care in order to make 2020 the greatest year yet – both for the senior in your care, as well as yourself. To learn more about our Kalamazoo, MI home care and the other Michigan communities we serve, please visit our Service Area page or call (269) 763-5350 in Paw Paw, (269) 849-9252 in St. Joseph, or (269) 373-5444 in Kalamazoo.