The phrase we hear most from care-givers of aging parents is, "I can't take care of my parents alone." These thoughts may be present because you feel completely overwhelmed and under-appreciated. You might also feel unsupported by other family members. I want you to know that what you are feeling is all too common in the world of a care-giver. That is why I wanted to share 3 bits of advice from an aging expert.
Tip 1 - Don't be so hard on yourself
Care-giving is a difficult task and even with advanced medical knowledge and skills it can feel a little overwhelming. That is precisely why my first tip is to not be so hard on yourself. For you, this may be your first experience at care-giving for an aging loved one. It's going to be different than any other type of care-giving you've done in the past and it's not going to always be easy. You may even be doing this all by yourself, which makes it even harder. The most important thing you can remember through all of this is to be kind to yourself.
Tip 2 - Understand your limits
If you are caring for your elderly parents alone, it is extremely important to understand that you have your limits. If you feel that you've reached your limits of what you are able to handle, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. You've simply identified that there is something you need help with and can start to identify possible solutions.
For example, if time is one of your limits, it is totally okay to recognize that you do not have enough time to handle all that is being required of you. From there, you can start to identify possible solutions to the time problem and discover helps that are available to you.
Tip 3 - Seek help from someone who can help you
If you are truly doing this all alone, the most important piece of advice I can give you is to seek help from someone who can help you. I'd highly recommend reaching out to a Geriatric Care Manager for help. These individuals bring to the table the expert skills in care-giving and can help you identify solutions to the challenges you are facing. Remember, you are only alone in this if you don't reach out for help. If you are unable to call on family for help, whether because they are too far away or because they refuse to help, then seek the help of a Geriatric Care Manager.
Conclusion
You started on your care-giving journey because you love your parents, you still do. Remember to not be hard on yourself, understand that you have limits, and seek the help from someone who can help you. As you do these three things you will never feel like you are doing this all alone.