Taking on the role of caregiver for your loved one is a big responsibility and can come with many tasks and stressors. Here are a few ways that you can take control of your time and reduce stress while meeting your goals.
1. Define Your Role
It is often difficult to differentiate your role as caregiver from your role as a spouse, child, friend, etc., especially when you are first starting out. That is why it is so important to define your role as caregiver and know what you are responsible for ahead of time.
If you are sharing responsibilities with someone else, it is also necessary to ensure everyone understands their roles and duties. By defining roles, tasks are less likely to fall through the cracks and mix-ups are easier to avoid.
Finally, when you define your role, it will help you manage expectations, either your own or someone else’s. Clearly understanding your role and responsibilities as well as limitations can help you feel more confident and reduce stress.
2. Schedule Personal Time
While caring for someone, it’s also important to focus on your own wellbeing. If you are not taking care of yourself, you will not be able to be an effective caregiver for someone else. The better off you are, the better off everyone around you will be.
Be sure to schedule time throughout the day and week for yourself. Whether this is exercising, napping, reading, or just enjoying some peace and quiet, carving out time for yourself will allow you to feel more energized and efficient. This will also help you avoid caregiver burnout.
3. Prioritize and Reprioritize
Making a plan and prioritizing the list of things that need to be done will help save time and reduce stress, making you more efficient. It’s also important to be flexible and reprioritize as things change.
In your list of tasks, order them by importance, from what absolutely needs to be done to what could be done if you have time. Tackling the big tasks first and avoiding procrastination can reduce the feeling of having something hanging over your head. However, if you need a boost, finishing a smaller task can give you a bit of encouragement.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check supplies and medications to ensure you have enough and avoid last minute runs to the store or pharmacy when you already have a full schedule.
4. Declutter and Get Organized
Clutter causes stress, and stress can keep you from being the best caregiver you can be. It takes time to find things when they aren’t in the right place and the clutter gets in the way. Taking some time every day to organize and declutter will save time and make a positive impact on you and those you care for.
The same way physical clutter can cause stress, so can mental clutter. Remember to take the time to relax and reset every day to clear your mind.
Another thing to keep in mind as you navigate healthcare insurance and Medicare as a caregiver is that you won’t always know everything. That’s where we come in. Let Medicare Choice Group help you find the best Medicare plan for your loved one.
