Caregiving might seem frustrating and irritating sometimes, however it becomes our reason to live. It is a blessing. We can feel those times when your parents carried you in their arms. They cleaned you, fed you, taught you, and gave all the necessities for having a good life. Don’t they deserve a little sacrifice, even if not of the same level? Aren’t they worth your efforts and love for all that they have done for you?

However, for some, caring for their aging parents and young children turn their life upside down. They lose control over their lives and are driven by responsibilities and negativities. Things are especially difficult if your parents have a memory care issue, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 

Thus, below are some methods that you should put to use to handle everything together:

1. First Priority-you

In situations like these, don’t forget yourself. You have an entire life in front of you, filled with possibilities and adventures. Set aside some ‘Me-time’ wherein you will entirely focus on yourself and relax. Remember, staying happy will provide you the strength and resilience you require to be your best while caring for aging parents. Look forward to achieving specific targets and set goals for the same.

You would have developed a habit of putting others’ needs and ambitions ahead of yours all the time. It is essential to widen your horizons and set long-term goals that shall brighten up your future. They keep you motivated and focused and help you keep going. You can meditate, read books, watch tv shows, pursue a hobby, learn something new, work on a self-made project. Prioritize your time for yourself and see the magic happen.

2. Being Honest

You may not be able to work to your full potential at your workplace. Your employers and colleagues may be rude to you, bully you, or neglect you. It is natural for them to come to think of you as an uninterested person who is less committed to work.

Even if you are reluctant to share with them about your life, you must let them know about the situations surrounding you. Tell them you are a caregiver and sustain your work and life while caring for your aging parents. Be honest with your boss and colleagues.

3. Apply Good Organizational Skills

While juggling your career and your parents’ and children’s needs, things tend to get haphazard, disoriented, and confusing. In such cases, you can save a great deal of time and energy by organizing your life into pen and paper. Make use of a notebook or journal to keep track of your life. Catch all your thoughts, random notes, things to do, and put them into it.

Start off with a fresh dated page every day and keep all the information in one place. So you won’t have to exhaust yourself by remembering everything. A couple of online journals and diaries are also available for this purpose.

Enlist all the possible emergencies and worst-case scenarios that you could have to deal with that would throw-off your schedule apart. Mention the appropriate helpline numbers, medications, first-aid, and all the must-have information. It can help you plan for any unexpected events so that you can deal with it better.

You can also encourage your parents to be more organized and they will likely relish the chance to be independent. Give them labeled pill boxes and search for companies that use senior-friendly pharmacy blister packs so they can access their meds themselves without needing to rely on you, which ticks one thing off your to-do list, at least.

4. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Support

It’s okay to ask for help. Emergencies may happen, or you may fall sick. Divide your work into small tasks and ask people around to help you out with them. Like your neighbor can easily pick up groceries for you on his or her way back home. People always want to help, and you should reach out to them.

A good idea is to continually help your colleagues and friends with their responsibilities and work. Reciprocate kindness and strengthen your relationship. In this way, they will be willing to step in to help you when you need them the most.

If this doesn’t feel sufficient, you can contact community groups for some valuable information and support. You must have heard of senior assisted living homes and facilities. They have dedicated staff who provide customized care, tailored for every senior citizen’s health needs. Alzheimer’s care facilities for seniors is one of them.

5. Having a Talk With Parents

While it may be frustrating to run after someone all the time, you need to talk to your parents. Try to empathize with their feelings and conditions by stepping into their shoes. Honor and respect them for the little milestones that they reach while they age. 

If things don’t seem to be working well, analyze, and re-evaluate situations. Express love and care to strengthen and enrich your relationship with them.

6. Having a Talk With the Kids Too

Your kids may suffer from neglect if you don’t give them adequate attention. Listen to them, play with them, and provide the guidance that they need to be happy and successful in life. Make memories with them that they shall cherish forever.

Juggling between caregiving, work, and personal interests can pull you apart. Chronic depression and anxiety are likely to set foot into your life. Insomnia, irritability, withdrawal, appetite changes, guilt, and fatigue are alarming signs. However, incorporating the above-mentioned habits into your daily life can help you attain that balance and harmony that your life lacked. Whenever you feel you can no longer handle it on your own, do not hesitate to ask for help from memory care homes or look into getting a home health care aide to help you.

Author bio:

Holly is a seasoned writer who loves to create content related to aging issues and everything to do with senior living. She is a frequent contributor to many top online publications including Assisted Living Near Me, where she creates content that is specific to assisted living for older adults, as well as SeniorLivingFacilities.net, where she writes about common issues affecting senior citizens and provides senior living advice.