Setting Caregiving Limits is Important‏

Setting Caregiving Limits is Important  by ElderCarelink Like many others, you may have been thrust into a caregiving role out of need, love and compassion for your aging parent or elder. Whether you feel blessed or feel caregiving has turned your life upside down, caregiving is--by nature--demanding, challenging, and time-consuming. As time progresses, elder care can grow more and more demanding as our elders age. For many of us, we don't stop to think caregiving could continue for years. For starters, leaping in with both feet is usually okay when getting started, but as caregiving progresses from months to years, it can touch every area of your life--from your marriage to your job. Set your caregiving limits The added pressure of being a caregiver can take anyone to the brink of a burnout. Before reaching that point, we need to realize when we've reached our personal limits for hands-on caregiving. Is it time when our spouse feels neglected because our caregiving responsibilities leave us with little time to spend with our husbands or wives? Is it time when caregiving becomes a full-time job and we have to leave our professions or work part-time to care for a loved one? Is it time when we miss our children's activities because we are too busy caring for a parent or loved one? Most families can survive the initial pressures of caregiving during the short-term. Long-term? Things become more difficult. What to do? Take a step back. Take stock of your personal, family, and professional needs Decide what you can do and can't do Establish limits with your loved one during the early stages of your caregiving role Providing care to our loved ones is a privilege and honor, but can be dangerous if the line between your life and caregiving blurs. If you need support to maintain balance in your life, do so. You can find help and advice through support groups, therapists, faith groups, home care services, adult day care centers, and more. If you've reached your caregiving limits and need help, letElderCarelink.com help you find the caregiving assistance you need. Have you noticed any changes in your loved one's health or behavior? Update your Needs Survey now so we can keep you connected to the resources that are most relevant and helpful to you. Update Your Needs Survey Now. You've received this message because you've registered to receive email from ElderCarelink.com. If you no longer wish to receive product offer emails from us, please go here to Unsubscribe.  © 2014 QuinStreet, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 950 Tower Lane, 6th Floor | Foster City, CA 94404