Communicating And Promoting Empathy While Caregiving
Your life or the life of your senior loved one may have become much different from what it was before
caregiving was essential. Depending on the circumstances, you may still be able to take part in activities
and socialize with others. To achieve this, you need to communicate with your friends and family and
should adapt to the reality of your current situation.
Many people around you can offer help and support that can be much important to you as a caregiver.
However, they may not know or may assume that things are under control. There can also be others
who are under the false impression that family caregivers do not need any help and support.
There can also be many obstacles preventing caregivers from reaching out to people around them for
assistance. Sometimes, it can be due to a lack of trust that any other person can help when caregiving
responsibilities become difficult. There can also be cases when caregivers feel guilty at the thought of
asking for help from others. Senior living experts in our assisted living facility share some simple ways to
promote empathy and understanding from people around you. Read along to know.
Ask For Company
You can ask for company and have someone to help you while you go through the caregiving routine. It
can be a good experience for both of you and can offer you a person to talk to. In addition, it will let
them witness what goes into caring for your senior loved one. For friends and family who are interested
in offering to care for your senior loved one, this can be a very good way for them to devise plans on
how to do so.
Request Help With Specific Tasks
Whether it be a few hours of rest from caring for your senior loved one or help with daily chores like
grocery shopping or cleaning, getting help can prevent caregiver burnout and can also offer the other
person a better sense of your caregiving responsibilities.
Accept Help When Offered
Many family caregivers are reluctant to accept assistance as they feel that accepting help is a failure.
However, in reality, it is exactly the opposite. In the opinion of caregivers in assisted living communities,
accepting help is an act of strength and allows others to take part meaningfully in your life.
Call A Friend And Talk
It can be really helpful for caregivers to let people around them know about what they have been
struggling with. Just calling a friend and chatting with them to let them know that you have a hard time
with caregiving can offer relief from stress.
