When caring for a parent or family member, seeking ways to stay positive can improve your overall health and well-being, as well as improve the quality of care that you provide.
One of the best ways to relieve stress and to stay positive is to plan fun activities to do with your older loved one. Whether it is an evening out or a brand-new puzzle to tackle together, having something fun to look forward to and to facilitate memory making is an interactive way for you, and your loved one, to stay positive. When laughter and good times are shared, it is much easier to put on a smile and help out where it is needed.
If your loved one is in an assisted living community there will most likely be caregiver support groups available there. These are safe areas where caregivers can reflect and relate to the trials of caring for an elderly individual. They are not always positive moments that are shared, but these settings do serve a greater purpose of addressing negative issues and discussing them head-on. When you can get the heavy, negative emotion off your chest simply by talking about it with like-minded individuals, it does a great deal of negative emotional drainage, leaving more room for positivity! If the assisted living community does not offer a support group, there are nationwide options, such as the National Family Caregiver Support Program. The program offers guidance, counseling, respite care, and other services to aid in caregiving.
There are programs to support you in aid, and there are also programs available for you to utilize when you need to take a break from the weight of caregiving. For example, in Georgia at a Brickmont Assisted Living community, there is the Silver Lining Adult Day Program where you can drop off mom or dad to socialize while you are at work, running errands, or just home relaxing. This program is specifically designed for a loved one with memory impairments that need extra care. If your loved one is only in need of assistance, then respite care is the better option for you when a break is needed.
It is important to remain resilient and find ways to stay positive when caring for a loved one. If you plan for fun, meet with a support group for encouragement, or take a break to do things that bring you joy, it will be easier for you to continue caregiving with an optimistic attitude. If caregiving does get too heavy to handle, check out the nearby communities for assisted living for programs or for transitioning your loved one into an environment where you are relieved of the stress that comes along with caring for another individual.
If you are considering transitioning your loved into an assisted living facility, download this eBook for 6 helpful tips!