Your parents have always been there for you. They took care of you as a baby, and helped you on the long road to becoming a strong and independent adult. It can be a big shock to come home one day and realize the parents who have always been in the role of caregiver suddenly need the help themselves.
Switching roles from daughter to caregiver can be a shock, even if the role comes on gradually. Luckily, there are ways to help you adjust so that you can provide the help your parents need, without feeling too uncomfortable.
Don’t try to do it all
The role of caregiver can creep up on you slowly. Your parents may ask for help getting to an appointment one day, and then ask for more and more help as time goes on. You may find yourself being the maid, chef, taxi driver, and caregiver — all while trying to manage your own career and family.
No one can do it all. Before you stretch yourself to the breaking point, take a solid look at what your parents need and see what can be delegated to other people.
Do you have other family who can help with appointments? Are there friends who can provide meal help? Can your parents actually do some of these things for themselves but don’t want to, now that there’s help?
Delegating responsibility can help ease your burden and make the jobs that you keep for yourself more enjoyable.
Take care of yourself
Parenting your parent can be exhausting and overwhelming. If you feel like the burden of care is too much, it probably is. Make sure that you are also getting the care that you need. This might mean respite care so that you can step away from the burden of caregiving for a while, or something as simple as keeping up with your old hobbies.
Your own mental health matters. Taking good care of yourself will help you take better care of your parents. If you think you are at an emotional breaking point, seeing a therapist can help you deal with this change emotionally.
Explore Care Help
Help may be as close as a phone call away. Even if you have no friends or family to help ease your burden, you still may be able to get the help you need. Financial assistance is sometimes available for family caregivers, so that you can either get paid to care for your parents or hire a caregiver to help you.
Exploring these options is a great idea. You may find that having a caregiver there can let you have some of your role as ‘daughter’ back. If caring for your parents is a financial strain, getting some financial compensation can help ease the burden.
Transitioning from daughter to caregiver can be a difficult path, even when you have help. It’s important to keep tabs on how you feel about this role, and your mental health as you go through this transition.
For more information on exceptional care for a loved one, contact Homewatch Caregivers of Charlotte today.
