August 30 is National Grief Awareness Day. Grief is one of the most difficult experiences you can face during your life, and as a family caregiver you will need to prepare yourself for this type of experience as your parent’s life approaches its end. On National Grief Awareness Day, however, it is important for you to understand how this can impact you even before your parent reaches this transition, and what it can mean for your health and well-being, and for your caregiver efforts.
Caregivers in Redington Beach FL: What is Anticipatory Grief?
Experiencing grief before a death is referred to as anticipatory grief. This type of response is common when a person is dealing with a health issue or challenge that makes a significant impact on their functioning, awareness, or personality, as in progressive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. The emotions attached to anticipatory grief can be very intense, and as a family caregiver it is extremely important for you to not only recognize when you might be dealing with this type of experience, but also to take steps to cope with it in effective, constructive, and meaningful ways.
Some signs you might be dealing with anticipatory grief include:
- Fatigue
- Emotional numbness
- Anger
- Sadness
- Fearfulness
- Loneliness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Guilt
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Desire to talk about what you are going through
If you are experiencing these symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. A support group or therapist can help you to deal with your emotions, and work through the grief you are feeling now so you are able to continue giving your parent the highest quality of care possible as they age in place. Coping with this grief now will also help you to continue finding meaning and connection in your relationship so you can make memories to carry with you into the future.
If your aging parent and you are dealing with grief, you may feel you are not able to do enough as their caregiver. You may feel your own emotions are getting in the way of being able to fulfill their needs, or that your parent is in need of further support and care as they go through this difficult time. Either way, the help of a home care provider can be invaluable in this situation. The services of this type of provider are completely customizable. This means they can give your parent exactly what they need whether it is full care for an extended time, or just a few hours of additional support a week for a temporary period. Together you can decide the amount of care that is right for them, and this care provider can help ensure your parent continues to manage their health, safety, and personal needs while moving through their grief.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Caregivers in Redington Beach, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
