It’s okay to think of being a caregiver for your elderly mother as a ‘burden.’ That doesn’t mean you don’t care. It doesn’t mean you’re going to give up, tuck tail and run, and hope for the best.

Feeling pressure happens all the time. Every single one of us gets overwhelmed by stress and anxiety more than a few times in our life. For some people, stress is part of their daily routine; they simply learn to accept it, even though they should find ways to reduce or even eliminate stress as much as they can.

When you are feeling pressure as a family caregiver, you can call it what it feels like: a burden. You may have started out helping your elderly mother after a hospitalization. You may have thought this was your responsibility, your duty, something you absolutely had no other choice in the matter about.

Yet, as time has marched on, you have given up more and more of your life, your personal time, and it is downright frustrating. It’s okay to feel these emotions, these frustrations. However, you do need to focus on ways you can minimize the stress of being a caregiver.

First, seek help.

The best help you can get comes in the form of an experienced home care aide. Agencies provide some of the most compassionate, experienced caregivers you will find anywhere. You may have thought this was a bad idea, but most likely that was spurred on by misconceptions about home care support services.

Second, make time for yourself.

If you don’t make time for yourself, you will get burned out. You will get overwhelmed. You will feel like everything you do is a burden. Those are clear signs you need a break, you need time for yourself, and the best way to do that is to rely on help in the form of experienced home care services.

Third, understand your personal limitations.

We all have them, these limitations. Whether you work or not, have several part-time jobs, are raising children of your own, or this is the only responsibility you have the time, you do have your limits. You need to recognize and acknowledge those limitations.

Once you understand those limitations, establish them. You can establish them more readily and safely when somebody relies on your support by sitting down and discussing the prospect of hiring in-home care. By supplementing the care you provide with home care support, this aging parent will remain safe and you can focus on your life, too.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Herndon, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.