Caring For Someone And Doing Well Is Not Easy

Do you know what it is like to care for someone? One day your parents will not be able to do everything on their own anymore. Those who have always seemed invincible are now in the stage of life we ​​call old age, and you must take care of them.

Suddenly you find yourself having to take on responsibilities you do not want. Responsibilities you thought you would never have to take on.

But you love them, and they have given you so much. How could you not take care of them now that they need you?

After all they have sacrificed to give you a good life… Is the truth that you get anxious and frustrated about having to be in this situation. Does that mean you are a bad daughter or son?

Stressed out caring for someone

Finding yourself immersed in the task of caring for someone who cannot be alone can mean lots of stress.

On the one hand , we are facing a loved one who is no longer who they used to be. We see how problems continue to arise. Behavioral and memory problems and also physical and mental deterioration.

And then we have to keep an eye on them all the time. We need to control their food intake and personal hygiene.

And all this may not be very pleasant, so we get annoyed at having to do it. So we do it apathetically, and really, simply, not so well.

And the stress does not stop by just caring for someone. It also extends to other areas of our lives. We can also have problems through work, money, relationships or family problems.

The cost of caring for someone

It is normal for there to be negative emotions such as anxiety, anger or sadness. Or even guilt for feeling that the situation is too much for us.

Guilty of wanting to be somewhere else that does not involve caring for someone. These things crash with our moral obligations to take care of our elders.

On the other hand  , it can also undermine our relationships. Whether it is not having time to be with other people, or by creating conflicts when we let it go beyond them. Then the downward spiral really begins.

At the physical level, there are endless problems that can arise. From various psychophysiological disorders (that is, physical illnesses caused or exacerbated by emotional and psychological factors), to problems related to the actual act of caring for someone, such as moving them from one place to another.

What can help us ease the burden of caring for someone?

In today’s world there are many people who take care of their elders. Why do not all have the psychological, social and physical problems we have looked at?

Because everyone’s resources and situations are enormously different, just like with any other psychological disorder.

Strategies to deal with stress are extremely important to protect us from breaking down. Because it is not so much what happens, but more what we do and how we meet it.

Along that line, rolling in self-pity about how bad we are or trying to avoid the situation will not help us.

Instead, looking for the best option and shopping for it without being afraid to mess it up will be more beneficial. You know, who’s not wrong? And do not you remember that this is how we learn?

But in addition to how a person handles the situation, we can not forget another great source of help. We are talking about social support.

Take advantage of your other relationships, ask for help with various tasks, gain understanding and love… it can really ease your burden. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others!

Photos courtesy of Jake Thacker, JD Mason and Cathal Mac An Bheatha.