Feeling unappreciated as a caregiver is an emotional burden that many struggle with silently. The long hours, constant sacrifices, and lack of recognition can leave you exhausted, resentful, or even questioning your efforts. But you’re not alone! These feelings are valid, and there are healthy ways to cope. In this article, we share 11 practical strategies to help you manage these emotions,…
That critical voice in your head is a liar. You know the one – the one that whispers you’re not doing enough, that you should be more patient, or that you’re failing in some way. If you’re constantly judging yourself as a caregiver, you’re not alone; this relentless self-criticism is one of the heaviest burdens we carry. But you have the power…
A major part of caregiver stress is caused by emotions Caring for an older adult is a stressful challenge that often takes a toll on your health. But only part of that stress comes from juggling day-to-day tasks. A big contributor is the strong emotions that naturally come up while caregiving. To reduce the stress from caregiver emotions, we asked experienced social…
Noticing what you’re grateful for reduces stress A quick and simple way to reduce caregiving stress is to keep a brief daily gratitude journal in a calendar format. Gratitude reduces caregiver stress because it reminds you to look for the positives in life, even when things are really tough. That simple act helps you get a different perspective and trains your brain…
These past years, veteran and military caregivers have taken on more responsibilities along with increased isolation, stress, and anxiety. Caregiver support systems are returning, but these hidden heroes are still dealing with the strain brought on by the extra challenges. Amy Goyer from AARP and Kathy Roth-Douquet from Blue Star Families share five free resources that support veteran caregivers in self-care, making…
Caregiving is a challenging responsibility that increases stress and contributes to burnout and compassion fatigue. One effective way to combat long-term stress’s adverse effects is to add humor to your days. Smiles and laughter benefit both caregivers and older adults. Here, Homewatch CareGivers shares five ways to add laughter to caregiving. Caring for an older adult can be a draining and…
Routines simplify and smooth life for caregivers A top caregiving goal is to make life easier for your older adult, yourself, and others who are involved. One way to do that is to create a consistent daily routine for your older adult. This helps days run more smoothly. Daily routines can reduce uncertainty, arguments, and decision-making – decreasing overall stress for both…
Don’t let undeserved caregiver guilt add to your stress There are many common misconceptions about what caregivers should do or how they should feel that can cause guilt that isn’t deserved. Unfortunately, these misguided beliefs and unrealistic expectations about caregiving can also hurt you by causing burnout, compassion fatigue, or serious health conditions caused by chronic stress. Caregiver guilt might also influence…
Caring for an aging parent can be one of life’s most rewarding journeys, but it can also place immense strain on family relationships. When siblings are involved, old dynamics can resurface, and disagreements about care can create painful rifts. You are not alone in this challenge. Learning how to navigate these complex family dynamics is crucial for your parents’ well-being and your…
Celebrating accomplishments reduces caregiver stress Caring for an older adult can be exhausting, overwhelming, frustrating, lonely, and often thankless. It’s no wonder so many caregivers struggle with stress-related health conditions. That’s why it’s important to find a variety of ways to reduce stress. It’s not realistic to eliminate all the worries and frustrations that come with caregiving. And it’s natural to focus…
