If you are currently caring for an elderly parent, then you may be struggling. It’s normal to struggle a bit so don’t worry too much or beat yourself up. Just because they raised you, does not make it easy to look after them in their old age, and it’s okay to admit that. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that we want you to remember if you are struggling with this right now, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
It’s Okay To Struggle
We need you to remember that it is okay to struggle with this. It’s okay to have hard days, and it’s okay to feel as though everything is going wrong. There are going to be times where things feel like they are never going to get better, and it’s just about pushing through those tough times if you can. We do not condone pushing yourself further than you can though, burning yourself out for the sake of providing care to your elderly relative.
It is okay to struggle, but it is not okay to give yourself completely to the point where there is nothing left for yourself.
There Is Help Available
That brings us quite nicely to our next point though which is that there is help available if you need help. There are home care aides from the best home care agencies in philadelphia, or elsewhere near you, who can come into your home at the same time each day and help care for your elderly relative while you are at work or busy with the children, and respite care if you would just like a few days to relax and recover, and then get started again. Or, if things are just too much, if they need more care than you can give, and if you think it’s best for both of you that they are not staying with you anymore then you can look into an assisted living facility or something similar. Some people see this as giving up, but that’s not what it is at all. It’s about knowing when you have had enough and have nothing more to offer.
You’re Doing Your Best
The final thing that we want you to remember is that you are doing your best. You are there every single day, you are doing what they need from you, and that is enough. Do not let anyone ever tell you otherwise, and do not convince yourself that you’re doing anything wrong. Perhaps it might not be enough for the type of care that they need, but this does not mean that you are not enough. For so long as you are doing your best, you’re doing more than anyone else.
Hopefully, you have found this article helpful and now see some of the things that you need to remember if you are struggling to care for an elderly parent. While it’s not always going to be easy, you’ve got to push through and just do what you can to help. However, we also need you to understand that you only have so much to give, and if you’ve given everything that you have got, it’s okay to look for other options.