The love for your parents is like no other, and the older you become, the more grateful you are for the love and support they have given you throughout your life. When the time comes for you to take care of your elderly parent, you are more than willing to take on the responsibility. However, being the care giver can be quite overwhelming at times, causing some to experience major burnout. Here are 3 tips to help you manage that stress.

1. Have patience. Your parents have taken care of you most of your life and the concept of switching roles can be a difficult transition- not just for you, but for your parents as well. They are not used to you in the parental role, telling them what to do, for instance, with regards to taking their medications, so be more patient and understanding and express your concerns with them in a calm manner.
2. Get support. Taking care of an elderly parent while also coping with your everyday life struggles can take a toll on you so get support by talking to a loved one. If you feel extremely overwhelmed, seek professional help by talking to a therapist, who can provide you with the necessary tools to help you cope with burnout.
3. Take a break. It is extremely important that you take care of yourself too so make sure you get reprieve from family members and friends. Also look into elderly care services, which can provide assistance with cleaning, care-giving, etc. Some of these services can be quite affordable and may be covered by insurance.

Looking after an elderly parent is such a loving act. It’s your way of giving back. Learning to cope with the stress that comes along with becoming the caregiver will definitely assist you in dealing with any issues and concerns you may have to face along the way.

If you need assistance coping with burnout, we can help. Please call Creative Solutions 4 Kids at (954) 832-3602. We are located in Hollywood, Florida.

Alicia Emamdee is the author of the YA Romance novel, “Aloha Self-Esteem?” which is created specifically for teen girls and the challenges they face with regards to their self-esteem in our society today. Written as a love story, the book provides ways to help increase self-esteem and gain self-confidence.