For many caregivers, the very idea of taking a break can be so difficult that it’s easier to avoid the idea completely. Getting past that is not always easy, but it’s necessary.
Get Past the Emotions
When you first think about taking a break, do certain emotions pop up? You might start to feel fear or guilt. You might even feel a bit anxious. These are all normal emotional reactions, but you can’t let them keep you from taking some time away from caregiving. You’ll need to work past the emotions so that you can do what you need to do.
Don’t Seek Permission
Another mistake that you might make is to feel as if you need to seek permission from your aging adult or from other family members in order to take a break. Whether you outright ask or not, you might subconsciously feel as if you need to have the permission of the people around you. If you don’t feel as if you have that, you might keep yourself stuck in a never-ending loop without real rest.
Ask Yourself What You’d Advise Someone Else
Caregivers are not always good at taking advice. But if you think about what you might tell a friend or family member who was in the same situation, you might be a little surprised. You’d probably say something like, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” You might also let them know that it’s essential for them to have a life and activities outside of caregiving.
Put Together a Plan
The next step is to develop a plan for yourself. Regular time away is best because then it becomes a part of your routine. Determine what type of time you need for yourself, whether that’s a few hours a week or a little bit of time here and there. Figure out whether you need backup while you’re gone. Hiring home care providers to take over for you gives you immense peace of mind while you’re doing something else.
Stick with the Plan
Once you’ve worked out a plan that fits your needs and your aging adult’s needs, it’s time to put action behind the plan. There may be times that emergency situations dictate that those plans change, but do what you can to stick with your plan. If you don’t, it’s way too easy to backslide and go back to being on call all the time with no time off.
Taking a break from caregiving sounds easy enough, until you have to actually do it. That’s when the emotions and the tasks can get too overwhelming for you to think about a break. Having a plan and working that plan keeps you in the right space to be able to take the time you need.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Caregiver Services in Dover MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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