You have a life, but your dad needs you. This creates a see-saw effect where you don’t know who should be at the top of the list. You know you’re burning out and need time off, but you don’t feel you can ignore your dad’s requests for your help. How do you take care of your dad and yourself at the same time? It doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. Here are some of the best ways to avoid the family caregiver see-saw dilemma. Home care services can be part of the solution.
Learn to Say No
As much as you want to help your dad out, you also need to know when to say no. Imagine you have an important work meeting at 2 p.m., but your dad also arranged to see his friend for a late lunch. He wants you to take him into the city for this lunch, but you know it may make you late for your meeting.
Your dad will have to rearrange his lunch or get someone else to drive him. He gets upset and tries to make you feel bad. Stand up for yourself and make it known that as much as you’d like to help him, this time, it’s just not going to work.
Get a Calendar App That Multiple People Can Access
Get a calendar app that you and your brothers and sisters can all access. Teach your dad how to use it. When he has an appointment or needs help with something, he needs to put it into the calendar. If someone is free that day, they can mark a note or change the color to make it known they’ll help that day.
At the same time, people should put their important appointments and plans on the calendar. When your dad is making arrangements, he should look at the calendar to see when people are busy and avoid making arrangements on those days.
Arrange Help From a Home Care Services Agency
Home care services are the best way to balance your and your dad’s needs. Hire caregivers to spend time with your dad. He’ll have someone to help him around the house, drive him where he wants to go, and make sure he eats enough.
While the home care services aide is with your dad, you have hours free to do things for yourself. Go to lunch with your friends, take a Yoga class, or take a nap. Use home care services to make sure you always have time to take care of yourself.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Dover MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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